Big efforts in Valedictory and Preferred at Mohawk

Milton, ON — The conditions were chilly, but the action was hot Monday evening (Dec. 10) at Woodbine Mohawk Park with Winter Series action launching and Preferred trotters battling. The Valedictory Series for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings got underway Monday with a pair of $12,750 divisions, while a field of eight clashed in this week’s edition of the $25,500 Preferred.

Dancer Hall returned to the winner’s circle Monday by rallying from way back to reach up and take the Preferred in 1:54.3.

Dancer Hall returned to the winner’s circle Monday by rallying from way back to reach up and take the Preferred in 1:54.3. New Image Media photo.

Driver Sylvain Filion gave Dancer Hall a patient steer. The duo got away last in the field of eight and didn’t move until the half to end up situated third-over turning for home. Musical Rhythm led the field into the lane after reaching three-quarters in 1:25.3. Rivals swallowed up Musical Rhythm in the final eighth of the mile. Free Willy Hanover came from second-over to take the lead late, but the lead was short-lived. Dancer Hall charged by in the final strides to win by a neck. Cue Hall was third, while Buzz was fourth.

Trained by Rod Boyd, Dancer Hall recorded his 10th win of the season and increased his 2018 earnings to $217,489 for owners 1187422 Ontario Inc. The 4-year-old son of Deweycheatumnhowe now has 18 wins and $294,753 in career earnings. A $2 win ticket on Dancer Hall returned $5.70.

The first split of the Valedictory saw Phantom Seelster extend his win streak by prevailing in a thrilling stretch battle over Legal Power in a career-best 1:51.4.

Richard Moreau trainee Phantom Seelster, who entered off a sweep of the Harvest Series, left from the rail with driver Trevor Henry and got a two-hole trip behind stablemate Legal Power, who posted fractions of :27.4, :56.1 and 1:23.3. Phantom Seelster needed nearly the entire stretch to edge Legal Power by a head. Mission Three finished third, while Beachin Lindy was fourth.

A gelded son of Mach Three, Phantom Seelster started his sophomore season winless in 14 starts before capturing a first-leg division of the Harvest en route to a series sweep. The Moreau trainee now has four wins and $48,518 earned in 18 starts this season. Phantom Seelster increased his career numbers to seven wins and $83,002 earned for owners Gestion Mastel, Conrad Leber and Marcel Barrieau with his career-best victory Monday. He paid $5.30 to win.

Larrys Petrock rallied for a career-best 1:52.4 victory in the evening’s second split.

Driven by Henry, Larrys Petrock got away fifth and stayed in that position for the opening three-quarters of the mile. Rocky J Squirrel cut the mile, posting fractions of :27.1, :56 and 1:24.1. R Bazingga challenged first-up on the far turn being followed by Real Willey and Larrys Petrock. In the stretch, Larrys Petrock powered by rivals after coming off the turn almost four-wide. The Barry Bird trainee stopped the clock in 1:52.4 to defeat runner-up R Bazingga by a length. Uptown Funk was third, while So Much Bettor was fourth.

A gelded son of Pet Rock, Larrys Petrock picked up his fifth win in 15 starts Monday and has now earned $49,415 in his first season on the track. The sophomore is owned by Gerrie Tucker, David Lumsden and Bird. A $2 win ticket on Larrys Petrock returned $3.20.

Sophomore pacing colts and geldings, who were non-winners of C$60,000 lifetime as of Oct. 31, 2018, were eligible for nomination to the Valedictory Series.

Live racing resumes Thursday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.

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