Thundering Jim holds on in Pop-Up Final

Thundering Jim showed true grit in fending off race favorite Choreographer to win the $25,000 Pop-Up Series Final at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday.

The 10^th race feature pace saw Thundering Jim and driver Doug McNair fly off the starting gate to the early lead. Also leaving was Lyons Image and driver Jody Jamieson who had to settle for a two-hole trip to the opening quarter mile in :27.1.

As they raced to the half mile marker in :57.2, Just Marvelous and driver James MacDonald came first-over with AJKnight (Austin Sorrie) second-over.

Just Marvelous was able to press Thundering Jim to the three-quarters in 1:26.2, but as they started down the stretch, Henry pulled to the outside with Choreographer, then ducked back towards the rail underneath Thundering Jim.

With just 50 yards to the wire, Choreographer was able to collar Thundering Jim and look him in the eye, but that was all as Thundering Jim pulled away at the wire to win by a half length in 1:54.3. Choreographer held for second over Sports Jacket (Colin Kelly) who was third.

THUNDERING JIM REPLAY

For Thundering Jim, who paid $8.80 to win, it was his third straight win, all in the Pop-Up Series. The six-year-old gelding by Woodstock was trained just for the final by Michael Kwietniowski of Guelph, ON, who also owned him for one start off a claim. And Thundering Jim was claimed from this race and will make his next start for trainer Patrick Shepherd and new owners Robert and Ronald Woodburn.

For full race results, click here.

By Steve Wolf, for Harnesslink