War N Munn captures $39,800 Youthful final

CAMPBELLVILLE, April 9 – The Youthful Series final highlighted an action-packed Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.

A competitive field of eight three-year-old pacers competed in the $39,800 series final.

War N Munn was made the 9/5 favourite in the Youthful final and came through in the clutch for his believers with a career-best 1:52.2 victory.

The Carmen Auciello trainee was driven by Jonathan Drury and found an early seat in fifth. Flaherty cut the mile and posted opening fractions of :27 and :56.1, while Easy Lover Hanover, who was going for the series sweep, sat in the pocket.

The Catamount Kid came first up from fourth, which allowed Drury to catch cover and place War N Munn second-over around the final turn. Flaherty posted a three-quarter clocking of 1:24.2 with his rivals breathing down his neck.

In the stretch, War N Munn fired off cover and despite drifting out, the Auciello trainee cruised home to a four-length victory over Easy Lover Hanover. Flaherty finished third, while The Catamount Kid was fourth.

A son of Stonebridge Regal, War N Munn was forced to skip leg two and qualify due to miscue in leg one. Despite making a break in the first round, the sophomore pacing colt finished second.

Saturday's victory gives War N Munn four wins in seven starts this season, including a second series final score. Back on February 19, the Auciello trainee captured The Count B series final.

War N Munn, who is owned by George Munniksma of Washington, New Jersey, now has over $106,000 in career earnings. He paid $5.80 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Youthful, the three-year-old pacers had to be non-winners of three-races or $15,000 in 2015.

Also on Saturday, the first leg of the Don Mills Trotting Series and the $34,000 Preferred Pace were contested.

Musical Rhythm had been the talk of the town all winter and he brought his impressive talents to Mohawk Saturday. The Ben Baillargeon trainee picked up his eighth victory in a row in the eight-horse $20,000 Don Mills Trotting Series first leg.

Driven by Mario Baillargeon, Musical Rhythm sprinted out to the front and never looked back. He posted fractions of :28.1, :58.1, 1:27.4 and 1:55.4 to score his sixth victory in six starts this year.

Grana Padanno, who is also trained by Baillargeon, finished two-lengths back in second, while Mystery Bet was third.

A four-year-old son of Cantab Hall, Musical Rhythm has now won 10 of 11 starts since being purchased by Santo and Nunzio Vena, Claude Hamel and Baillargeon in November. Saturday's victory pushes his seasonal earnings to $81,000.

Musical Rhythm now has 15 career victories and earnings exceeding $177,000. He paid $2.50 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Don Mills, the four and five-year-old trotters had to be non-winners of $150,000 lifetime as of December 31, 2015.

Ellis Park turned in a huge performance to win the Preferred Pace in 1:51.2.

A field of six competed in the top-level pace and Nirvana Seelster once again found himself on top heading into the first turn. After an opening-quarter of :27, Nickle Bag circled around from second to grab command heading down the backstretch.

Ellis Park, who was 7/1, got away at the back with driver Randy Waples, but was out and gaining ground on the leader at the midway point. Nickle Bag was confronted by Ellis Park rounding the final turn and led the field by the three-quarter pole in 1:24.1.

In the stretch, Nickle Bag and Ellis Park waged war with the outside challenger taking the lead part way down the lane. Nickle Bag tried to battle back up the inside, but Ellis Park would not be denied his 21st career victory and won by a head.

Boomboom Ballykeel, who won the Preferred last week, finish third in a photo with Mohawk Warrior.

A seven-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover, Ellis Park scored his second win in four starts Saturday. He is trained by Tony O'Sullivan for owner David Goodrow Stable.

Ellis Park now has $39,000 earned this season to bring his career total to over $400,000.

The O'Sullivan trainee paid $16.50 to win.

Live racing resumes Monday night at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.

by Mark McKelvie – WEG Communications