by Sandra Snyder

Campbellville, ON — Mohawk Racetrack fans were treated to another exciting performance by the province’s top 3-year-old pacing colts on Saturday evening.

Ten colts lined up behind the starting gate for the second Gold Final of their season, and Goban jumped out to an early lead, taking the field to a :12.4 eighth and a :26.3 quarter. Favorite Michaels Power watched the early action from fourth, but driver Scott Zeron had the gelding on the move just after the quarter and had established a two length lead by the :54.2 half.

Michaels Power continued through a 1:22.1 three-quarters with WarraweeNeedy hot on his heels, but was still one and one-half lengths on top when he reached the 1:35.3 seven-eighths. Warrawee Needy kicked hard in the stretch, but Michaels Power had enough in the tank to propel him to a half-length victory in a personal best 1:49.2.

Hard To Mach completed the top three, 4-3/4 lengths behind the leaders, who clocked their impressive mile over a track rated one second slower than normal.

Oakville resident Zeron engineered the victory for trainer Casie Coleman of Cambridge and owner-breeder Jeffrey Snyder of New York, NY.

Through 10 sophomore starts Michaels Power now boasts a record of nine wins and earnings of $652,250. The gelding’s only loss came in his June 9 Pepsi North America Cup elimination at Mohawk where he finished sixth. Last season the pacer logged two wins and one third in three starts.

The impeccably bred gelding is the son of Camluck and $695,439 winner Michelles Jackpot, who is a half-sister to $2.49 million winner Cams Card Shark. A 100 per cent producer, Michelles Jackpot has given Snyder two other $500,000-plus winners — American-bred Michaels Marvel, who banked $810,412, and Camluck daughter Michelles Power, who earned $1.38 million in her career.

Michaels Power will put his pedigree and his near perfect record on the line in the third Gold Series event on August 19 and 26 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday, Aug. 9 with Gold Final action for the talented 2-year-old trotting fillies. Post time for Thursday’s program is 7:10 pm.