Last-to-first in a quarter for the Pop-Up Final

Saulsbrook Olympia (Big Jim) blew by all seven of her harness racing rivals in the final quarter to win the Pop-Up Series final for pacing fillies and mares on Friday (Jun. 16) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Driver Austin Sorrie found a tight line to the inside and dropped the four-year-old mare back to eighth of eight as they paced the opening quarter in :27.1. Saulsbrook Olympia clung to the pylons and moved up on the inside after the field passed the midway point in :56.

She remained eighth at three-quarters in 1:24.3 as the outside flow advanced, allowing Sorrie to shift her widest of all at the head of the stretch. The mare roared to top speed in the final eighth of a mile and went by all opponents to score by a length in 1:53.1.

Mywishlistforyou (James MacDonald) finished second after closing from seventh at the half. Cantstopthefeeling was the next furthest back entering the third quarter and came back to take the show spot.

SAULSBROOK OLYMPIA REPLAY

Lee Brian trains Saulsbrook Olympia, a 13-time winner on 33 career starts. She has now earned $126,253. Saulsbrook Stables of Widnsor and Edward Gorc of Sudbury own the mare.

The next Pop-Up Series final, for pacing horses and geldings, is set for the next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Jun. 17. Two fields of two-year-olds will also make their debuts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink