by Sandra Snyder, for the Ontario Sires Stakes

Campbellville, ON — Heading into Sunday’s C$130,000 Gold Final at Mohawk Racetrack, trainer James ‘Friday’ Dean is feeling pretty relaxed.

The virus that plagued his barn in June and July has been banished, and his heavy hitters have returned to the plate swinging for the stands.

“I think we got the virus the heck out of there, and I hope it stays away,” says the Campbellville resident, who will harness elimination winner Domitian Hanover and Raw Energy in Sunday’s final.

After being sidelined for a month, Domitian Hanover returned to racing in the July 21 Canadian Breeders eliminations at Mohawk. Last season’s Ontario Sires Stakes division champion and O’Brien Award winner finished a solid second and came back one week later with an impressive 1:50 victory to claim the championship.

In last week’s Gold elimination the son of Camluck and Debras Charm posted an effortless 1:52.1 victory, but he may face a tougher test this week, starting from post eight in the talented field of 10 colts.

“Mark (MacDonald), he’ll have to figure that one out. He’ll have to earn his five percent this week,” says Dean with a laugh. “But he can race from both ways; he’s a pretty versatile horse.”

In addition to versatility, Dean says a good gait and a gritty attitude are two of Domitian Hanover’s best assets, and points to the Canadian Breeders Championship Final as a testament to the young pacer’s determination.

“He never gives up, that horse, he digs,” says Dean, who trains Domitian Hanover for Scott and Clay Harland Horner of Toronto. “That trip in the Canadian Breeders; that was a heck of a trip. Mark used him three times.

“He’s such a good gaited thing, he never makes a mistake,” Dean adds. “And he’s easy on himself. He’s a lazy horse to jog and train, and that’s a good thing.”

While Domitian Hanover starts the furthest outside of the three elimination winners, Raw Energy will benefit from post one in the C$130,000 final. Unlike his stablemate, Raw Energy was not affected by the virus, but Dean says the colt has suffered from a lack of racing luck. Through seven starts the son of Astreos and F Fifteen has two thirds to his credit, but he has only been worse than fifth on two occasions.

“He’s been right there, knocking at the door,” says Dean. “One night we’ll get them.”

Breeder Charalambos Christoforou of Campbellville, Banjo Farms of Toronto and Alvin Stein of Ottawa share ownership on the leggy youngster, who was a Gold Final winner at 2 and finished right behind his stablemate in the earnings race. Chris Christorofou pilots the winner of $149,314 and would love to improve on the third-place finish Raw Energy delivered in last week’s elimination.

Sunday’s C$130,000 Gold Final takes place in the eighth race on Mohawk Racetrack’s talent laden program, which also features six divisions of the Robert Stewart Stakes for 2-year-old trotting and pacing fillies. The first race at the Campbellville oval gets underway at 7:20 p.m.

Mohawk Racetrack Gold Final — Sunday, Aug. 12
Race 8 – C$130,000
Post – Horse (Sire) – Driver – Trainer
1 – Raw Energy (Astreos) – C. Christoforou, Jr. – J. Dean
2 – Twin B Survivor (Apaches Fame) – Ra. Waples – J. Darling
3 – Bigtime Ball (Presidential Ball) – P. MacDonell – G. Irwin
4 – Sipwiththepres (Presidential Ball) – R. Zeron – M. Austin
5 – Windsun Ben (Apaches Fame) – S. Condren – M. Brethour
6 – Daddy Mac (Camluck) – J. Moiseyev – R. McIntosh
7 – Along Came Polly (Camluck) – Ja. Brewer – R. Duford
8 – Domitian Hanover (Camluck) – Ma. MacDonald – J. Dean
9 – Deuces And Jacks (Million Dollar Cam) – M. Saftic – D. Lowes
10 – Sergei Seelster (Rustler Hanover) – J. Jamieson – W. Elliott
AE1 – Warrawee Ideal (Million Dollar Cam) – J. Jamieson – C. Jamieson
AE2 – Kaos Agent (Presidential Ball) – T.B.A. – T. Micallef