by Greg Blanchard (WEG Media)

Campbellville, ON – World champion Vivid Photo equaled the Mohawk track trotting record of 1:52 in taking Saturday night’s C$45,000 Open Trot.

The 5-year-old SJ’s Photo gelding, trained and driven by Roger Hammer, was using the race as a tune-up for next Saturday’s C$693,500 Maple Leaf Trot at Mohawk.

In tonight’s contest, Hammer yielded briefly to Abbey Road C in a 26.2 first quarter before retaking command before the half in 55.4. Vivid Photo faced pressure from first-over attacker Reve D Amerik in the third quarter and held that one at bay past the third panel in 1:24.1.

Reve D Amerik could not get past the wheel of Vivid Photo in the stretch as that one held on for his fifth win of the campaign in 11 outings. The clocking gave him a share of the Mohawk track record which was held jointly by Mr Muscleman, Equinox Bi and Reve D Amerik.

The latter pair will join Vivid Photo in next Saturday’s rich final.

Here is a look at the field in its entirety:
1. Equinox Bi
2. Sand Vic
3. Giant Diablo
4. Shakin Willow
5. Vivid Photo
6. Going Kronos
7. Corleone Kosmos
8. Reve D Amerik
9. Speed Bomb
10. Abbey Road