Kobra Kai strikes with 17-1 upset

Kobra Kai (Shanghai Phil) landed a surprise 17-1 shot on Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots harness racing rivals on Monday (Aug. 29) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Sylvain Filion hustled the three-year-old gelding to the front as they entered the first turn before Kaporal (Louis-Philippe Roy) took over just past the quarter in :26.2. The latter brought the field through the middle panels in :53.4 and 1:23.1.

Filion hoisted Kobra Kai out of the pocket as the sprint for home commenced, and the gelding kicked clear in the final eighth of the mile to score in a career-best 1:51.2.

Kaporal came home second with Called In Sick (Chris Christoforou) at his heels in third.

KOBRA KAI REPLAY

Kobra Kai’s win was his third in 23 career starts. Robert Don Fellows trains the earner of $73,228 for Patrick Dillon of Port Hope.

Chucky Hanover (Hes Watching) motored down the stretch to win the second division for three-year-old pacing males in 1:52.4. He pushed hard for the lead by three-eighths but was shuffled to the pocket by Twin B Jammer (Roy). Chucky Hanvoer finished faster than the leader and Dreamfair Arnie B (Travis Cullen) for the score. The latter was second by a length-and-a-quarter. Sporty M Three (Bob McClure) closed for show.

CHUCKY HANOVER REPLAY

It was the first Ontario Sires Stakes victory for the gelding. He is five-for-21 lifetime with $121,272 in earnings. Paul MacDonell trains and drives him for GLB Stable of Lakeview.

Racing continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park at 7:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink