New Holland Series complete; accident at Mohawk

MILTON, March 30, 2024 – Poseidon Seelster (Sunshine Beach) won a tight thriller, while Special Mission (Walner) posted an impressive score in Saturday’s (Mar. 30) New Holland Series harness racing finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The New Holland Series ended on Saturday night with a $70,000 final in the pacing division and $71,000 final on the trotting side.

Poseidon Seelster flashed early speed, ended up in a pocket trip and slipped up the rail to win in a four-horse photo the New Holland Pacing Series Final. Tyler Moore steered the Don Lindsey trainee.

The raced opened with a hot :26.1 quarter courtest of Poseidon Seelster and Whichwaytothebeach, who cleared entering the backstretch. After posting panels of :55.1 and 1:22.4, Whichwaytothebeach carried the lead to the eighth pole before being swarmed.

At the wire, Poseidon Seelster prevailed by a nose over a shaking loose Century Heineken, while Whichwaytothebeach and Frankie Frankie finished third and fourth by a neck.

POSEIDON SEELSTER REPLAY

A seven-year-old gelding, Poseidon Seelster now has three wins in 11 starts this season. The Lindsey trainee sixth and second in the New Holland preliminary legs. Saturday’s win boosts his career numbers to 18 wins and over $659,000 in earnings for owners Lindsey, Paul Kleinpaste, William Alempijevic and Garth Bechtel.

Poseidon Seelster paid $22.90 to win.

The Blair Burgess trained Special Mission blew his rivals out with a 4 ¼ lengths victory in 1:52.3 to take the New Holland Trotting Series Final.

Driver Jody Jamieson made his move with Special Mission approaching the half, angling out from sixth to come first up. The five-year-old kept marching up, overtaking leader Pikachu Hanover.

Special Mission opened on the field to win easily in a career-best equaling 1:52.3.

Handsome Sebastian finished second, while Franks Angel was third.

Special Mission improved to five wins in eight starts this season with Saturday’s victory. The Burgess trainee has now made $76,520 this season for owners Daniel Roland and Bred Winr Stables. His career statistics now read 9 wins and over $100,000 earned.

A $2 win ticket on Special Mission returned $7.80.

SPECIAL MISSION REPLAY

Saturday night’s card also saw an accident occur in the evening’s eleventh race.

Three-year-old gelding Brigus and driver Sylvain Filion made contact with the wheel of Vis A Vis Bluechip in the stretch drive, causing Brigus to fall to the track. Four-year-old gelding Holy Jalapeno and driver Phil Hudon were unable to avoid the fallen horse and also fell to the track.

Both horses got up from the accident and are reported to be okay.

Hudon was examined on track and sent to a local hospital for further evaluation as a precaution. Filion got up and walked off the track under his own power.

Woodbine extends best wishes to all those involved in the spill.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mark McKelvie, for Woodbine Entertainment