by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Trotters were in the spotlight Monday night (April 25) at Mohawk Racetrack with the Tie Silk Series final headlining the 10-race card. A field of 10 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings clashed in the $25,438 Tie Silk Series final. The sophomore trotters not only had to deal with each other, but also rainy and windy conditions.

Eddie Green trainee Donicus, the 6-5 favorite, was aiming for a series sweep from post five, but right to his inside was Per Henriksen trainee Muscle Hustle, the 8-5 second choice. Henriksen opted to skip the second leg with Muscle Hustle after the son of Muscle Mass won a leg one division.

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Muscle Hustle was a 1:56.2 winner in the Tie Silk Series final.

Donicus and Muscle Hustle trotted out quickly at the start with the Green trainee grabbing the lead and posting an opening quarter of :27.2. Muscle Hustle and driver Randy Waples sat patiently in the two-hole, as the favorite posted fractions of :58.2 and 1:28.2.

Waples pulled on the right line to set up a stretch duel at the top of the lane. Muscle Hustle found top gear quickly and surged by to record a two length victory in 1:56.2. Donicus’ bid at a series sweep was denied, as he finished second. Greg Peck trainee Merchandiser, who won a leg two division, finished third from post 10.

Muscle Hustle was making just his second start of 2016 and fifth overall Monday. The Henriksen trainee now has three career victories and $25,819 earned for owners Ecurie Bergh Inc. The clocking of 1:56.2 shaved nearly a second off Muscle Hustle’s previous career-best. He paid $5.30 to win.

Sophomore trotters, who were non-winners of C$30,000 in 2015, were eligible to the Tie Silk.

The weekly $26,860 Preferred Trot saw yet another older trotter find the winner’s circle Monday. Charlie Is A Joker benefited from breaks by the two favorites, Fearless Man and Flanagan Memory, to win in 1:55.3 for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Ben Baillargeon.

The 8-year-old gelded son of Angus Hall grabbed the early lead, before surrendering the front to Zeus Lightning in the second quarter. Charlie Is A Joker sat in the two-hole until the top of the lane and surged by in the stretch to win by a length at odds of 9-1. Zeus Lightning held on for second, while Hldontghttoyurdrms finished third.

Charlie Is A Joker now has back-to-back victories to improve his season’s record to four wins in 13 starts. The veteran trotter has banked $53,592 this season for owners Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin. Monday’s victory was the 32nd career score for Charlie Is A Joker and pushes his career earnings to $396,208. He paid $20.50 to win.

While the older male trotters battled early in the card, the Late Double started with an $18,960 Mares Trot. Many familiar older trotters, including Charmed Life, Rockin With Dewey and Bax Of Life, headlined the field, but a daughter of Muscle Mass making her 4-year-old debut stole the show.

Muscle Baby Doll shot through late for driver Sylvain Filion with great final quarter speed to win in 1:54.4 at odds of 10-1. The Tony O’Sullivan trainee was making her debut against older rivals after winning eight of 15 as a 3-year-old and banking $378,095 in her first two seasons on the track. Charmed Life, who took command in the second quarter, surrendered the lead late and had to settle for second, while Rockin With Dewey finished third.

Muscle Baby Doll trotted along fourth for the majority of the mile and used a :27.1 final quarter to win by 1-1/4 lengths. The daughter of Muscle Mass is owned by F Bellino And Sons LLC and now has 13 career victories. Muscle Baby Doll returned $23.60 to win.

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