Saulsbrook Olympia strong in Pop-Up Series

Saulsbrook Olympia (Big Jim) capitalized on a confident steer from harness racing driver Austin Sorrie to capture the Pop-Up Series second leg for fillies and mares on Thursday (Jun. 9).

She left in a line of three, but Sorrie deferred his move to the backstretch and dropped the mare back into third early. After hitting the quarter in :27.4, Saulsbrook Olympia followed pocket-sitter Gypsy Merlot (Bob McClure) to the outside and brushed to the top before finishing the first half in :57.3.

Saulsbrook Olympia maintained top speed into the final turn and fired away to a four-length gap by three-quarters in 1:25.3. Kickin Cowgirl (Sylvain Filion) and Takeyourbreathaway (Trevor Henry) provided pressure but were too far behind to catch the winning mare, who crossed the line in 1:54.4.

Takeyourbreathaway closed fastest for place over Kickin Cowgirl. The win payoff was $5.20.

SAULSBROOK OLYMPIA REPLAY

Saulsbrook Olympia, a four-year-old Brian Lee trainee, has now won 12 of her 32 career starts and has compiled a bankroll of $113,753. The mare won the $58,300 Kin Pace and finished third in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Final last year. She is three-for-12 in 2022 so far for owners Saulsbrook Stables Inc. and Edward Gorc.

The Pop-Up Series Final for mares is scheduled for Thursday Jun. 16.

Woodbine Mohawk Park kicks off the weekend’s Grand Circuit eliminations on Friday, Jun. 10 with a pair of preliminary Goodtimes splits. The 10-race program will begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink