Top two-year-olds clash in Mohawk stakes finals

Sylvia Hanover (Always B Miki) and Stockade Seelster (State Treasurer) starred in the $88,500 Whenuwishuponastar and $94,500 Dream Maker harness racing finals respectively at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday (Aug. 13).

Sylvia Hanover outmuscled Always B A Star (Jody Jamieson) to claim the lead and felt the encouragement of driver Bob McClure as she led through :27.2, :57.1, and 1:25.2 fractions. She sprinted clear down the lane and hit the finish four-and-a-half lengths clear in 1:52.

Bankers Luck (Hes Watching) finished second over Always B A Star.

Sylvia Hanover was favoured at 1/5.

SYLVIA HANOVER REPLAY

The Shawn Steacy pupil won on debut in the Whenuwishuponastar first leg and placed in the second. Her record is now two-for-three, and she has earned $59,250. Hudson Standardbred Stable owns the filly, whom it purchased for $135,000 at the Harrisburg sale.

Stockade Seelster sat fifth as a speed duel created a :26.3 first panel in the Dream Maker. Jamieson ordered a front-stepping move from him as Hungry Angel Boy (Paul MacDonell) brought the field to the half in :56, and the former took over as they entered the final turn.

Stockade Seelster stopped the clock on three-quarters in 1:23.3 and left minimal work for Jamieson as he sailed to victory in 1:51.4. Redwood Hanover (Tyler Jones) rallied off dead cover and closed the gap to two lengths in second. Stormalong (Bob McClure) finished third.

STOCKADE SEELSTER REPLAY

The winning colt is now perfect through four career starts, including a pair of Ontario Sires Stakes Gold wins, and has earned $158,550. Owners Sally Macdonald of Souris and Paul Macdonald of Toronto put their colt in the care of trainer Dr. Ian Moore.

American History (American Ideal) surpassed $1.5 million in earnings as the stallion, driven by Sylvain Filion, won the $52,000 Open Handicap in 1:48.3. He passed Warrawee Vital (Jamieson) in the lane and stretched the margin to a length-and-three-quarters. Mappos Lion (MacDonell) finished third.

AMERICAN HISTORY REPLAY

Richard Moreau trains the 2019 Breeders Crown champion for Brad Grant of Milton. The stallion has won 32 of his 97 starts, and his earnings now total $1,503,440.

The card also contained three Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots contests for sophomore pacing colts and geldings.

Dreamfair Arnie B (Sportswriter, Travis Cullen) scored by four-and-a-quarter lengths with a lifetime-best 1:50.2 clocking in the first division. The colt’s current three-race win streak has boosted his record to four-for-15 lifetime with $54,616 in earnings for owner/breeder John Lamers of Mount Brydges. Jodie Cullen trains the colt.

DREAMFAIR ARNIE B REPLAY

Twin B Jammer (Sunshine Beach, Louis-Philippe Roy) capitalized on a pocket trip in the second group, winning in 1:52.3 for trainer and co-owner Francis Dumouchel. Ecurie CSL, a Quebec numbered company, and O A S 2021 share ownership. It was the gelding’s second win in 22 career starts. He has brought in $53,924.

TWIN B JAMMER REPLAY

Aviator (Sportswriter) upset at 14-1 in the final Grassroots tilt, sliding up the pylons for the 1:52.4 victory. The Millar Farms homebred is now four-for-10 with a $119,109 bankroll. Nick Gallucci conditions the gelding.

AVIATOR REPLAY

Woodbine Mohawk Park resumes racing on Monday, Aug. 15. A $45,500 Open Handicap Trot headlines the 10-race program that will begin at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink