Covert Operative takes Tie Silk final in photo finish
May 4, 2015,by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications
Campbellville, ON — Covert Operative tracked down a drifting out Hemi Seelster to win the Tie Silk final on Monday night (May 4) at Mohawk Racetrack.
A field of ten 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings contested the C$34,000 Tie Silk final Monday evening. Tarot came into the final with a chance at a series sweep, while Covert Operative, Hemi Seelster and Duh Bubbees entered the final with a win and a second-place finish in the opening legs.
New Image Media photo
Covert Operative was a 1:55 winner in the Tie Silk final.
Hemi Seelster, who was sent off as the slight 2-1 favorite, sprinted off the gate to grab the early lead. Tarot and driver Jack Moiseyev had to overcome post position ten and were parked around the opening turn before clearing to the lead down the backstretch.
After a half of :57.1, Tarot brought the field around the final turn with Hemi Seelster and driver Steve Byron in the pocket and Covert Operative and driver Randy Waples coming first up from fifth. Byron was able to pull the pocket nearing the three-quarter pole, as Tarot reached that station in 1:26.
In the stretch, Hemi Seelster overtook the lead from Tarot, who finished seventh, and opened up a few lengths of separation on Covert Operative, who trotted up into second. However, Hemi Seelster would drift out as they made their way down the lane and this allowed Covert Operative to edge in on the lead and nail Hemi Seelster at the wire to win by a neck in 1:55.
A son of Deweycheatumnhowe, Covert Operative is trained by Per Henriksen, who also sent out third-place finisher In Secret. Covert Operative now has a record of four wins from six starts this season. The Tie Silk final victory pushes the gelding’s career earnings to C$53,400 for owners Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc. and Asa Farm. Covert Operative also established a new lifetime mark with the victory. The Henriksen trainee paid $7.30 to win.
In order to be eligible to the Tie Silk, the 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters had to be non-winners of C$30,000 in 2014.