New mark for Ghostly Casper in Mohawk return

Ontario harness racing champion Ghostly Casper (Resolve) appeared back at his home base of Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Jul. 29) after a two-race stint stateside and set a new lifetime-best time.

The Ben Baillargeon-trained stallion went forward to protect pylon position as four horses raced abreast into the first turn. Tyler Borth decided to let Handsome Sebastian (Trevor Henry) go by after the quarter of :26.4, securing the pocket for Ghostly Casper.

Handsome Sebastian trotted the middle fractions in :55.1 and 1:23.2, shifting into high gear around the final turn as the top two separated from the rest. Ghostly Casper shifted out as they straightened for home and made short work of his rival, rolling by him at the eighth pole. He then glided to the line, crossing the line a four-and-a-half-length winner in 1:51.4.

Special Mission (Tyler Jones) circled from last to take second, with Distance Learning (Austin Sorrie) also passing the fading Handsome Sebastian for third.

GHOSTLY CASPER REPLAY

Ghostly Casper, a Hambletonian finalist last year, is now four-for-12 on the season. He made two Grand Circuit starts at The Meadowlands earlier this month, finishing eighth in both. The new mark from Monday’s win was a reduction of more than a second from his previous best. The four-year-old has now earned $715,337 and won eight of 41 starts. Baillargeon co-owns the horse with Teresa Davidson of Milton, Santo Vena of Cedar Valley, and Nunzio Vena of Bolton.

Borth won three races on the evening.

Racing continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday, Jul. 30 at 7:10 p.m. EDT. Six Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots legs, three for each sex of two-year-old trotters, permeate the 11-race program.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink