by Greg Gangle, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Burnin Money is considered a longshot for Saturday’s C$543,000 Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk, but conditioner Carmen Auciello doesn’t mind being an outsider.

Burnin Money, a 5-year-old son of Cash Hall, has banked $122,271 this season and will face the toughest task of his career against seven of the finest trotters in North America in the 61st edition of the Maple Leaf Trot.

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Burnin Money enters the Maple Leaf Trot with $122,271 in season’s earnings.

“I know we’re considered a longshot, but I also know what my horse is capable of,” Auciello said. “It’s a great group of horses this year and it’s going to be a great race. With the right trip, I think we can hopefully get a piece of it.”

Last time out, on July 8 at Mohawk, the 15-time winner put in an uncharacteristic break at the gate, which spotted the field 18 lengths. The speedy trotter then caught the field, using a :27.1 final quarter to finish eighth, defeated just 5-1/4 lengths.

“The start before we wanted to leave with him and Anthony (MacDonald) got him down to the quarter on top in :26.3 and we wanted to do that again,” explained Auciello. “But, I think he just got too hot on us at the gate. He trotted his last three-quarters in 1:23 or close to it, so he was still impressive and couldn’t be faulted for his effort.”

Rockwood native Jonathan Drury, who has been racing in Pennsylvania this summer, will return home this weekend to team up with Auciello in hopes of guiding Burnin Money to a thrilling victory.

The C$543,000 purse will be the richest prize ever contested for both Auciello and Drury.

“He will have to come up with the biggest mile of his career on Saturday,” Drury said. “He’s facing off against the best trotters in North America and it’s going to be a great race with honest fractions. Burnin Money has been racing well all year, we have the inside post and all we can do is hope for the best trip possible.”

Drury, just 24 years old, is well aware of the rich history of the Maple Leaf Trot.

“This race has been around for years and I’ve seen it live many times since I was a kid,” he said. “You get the best horses, drivers and trainers. To be a part of it is such a great feeling.”

Owned by Wheelhouse Racing, Burnin Money has banked $202,503 lifetime with a mark of 1:52.4.

The race will line up as follows: 1. Burnin Money–Jonathan Drury, 2. Mister Herbie–Jody Jamieson, 3. Arch Madness–Scott Zeron, 4. Knows Nothing–Jody Jamieson, 5. Uncle Peter–Jimmy Takter, 6. Wishing Stone–Jody Jamieson, 7. Guccio–Jimmy Takter and 8. Market Share–Tim Tetrick.

Also on the program, North America’s top pacing mares will contest the C$391,000 Roses Are Red final. The field will line up as follows: 1. Monkey On My Wheel–Keith Oliver, 2. Bettor B Lucky–David Miller, 3. Drop The Ball–Doug McNair, 4. Anndrovette–Tim Tetrick, 5. Economy Terror–Ron Pierce, 6. Camille–Sylvain Filion, 7. Rocklamation–Yannick Gingras, 8. Shelliscape–Randy Waples, 9. Greystone Ladylike–Scott Zeron and 10. Krispy Apple–Billy Davis, Jr.

The lucrative night of racing also includes four Canadian Breeders Championship finals featuring the province’s finest 3-year-olds. First race post time is 7:25 p.m.