by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Following a 13 length blowout win last week, Donicus continued his winning streak in the second leg of the Tie Silk Series Monday night (April 18) at Mohawk Racetrack.

A group of 16 sophomore trotters were split into two $12,480 second leg divisions.

New Image Media photo

Donicus was a 1:57.1 winner in his Tie Silk Series division.

The Eddie Green trainee Donicus had many eyes on him following a massive victory in last week’s opening round and the chestnut colt didn’t disappoint. Trotting out from post eight, Donicus pushed forward for trainer/driver Green looking for the lead. Several other trotters also had eyes set on a front-end spot, which kept Donicus three-wide around the first turn.

Entering the backstretch, the Green trainee cleared to the front and said good night to his rivals. Donicus posted fractions of :58.4 and 1:28 before trotting home in :29.1 for a 2-1/4 length victory in 1:57.1. Pukka finished second, while Summajestic was third.

Sent off as the 1-5 favorite, Donicus improved his 2016 record to seven wins in nine starts with Monday’s victory. The sophomore trotting colt now has $40,121 earned this season for owner Mona Racette. Donicus now sports career numbers of eight wins in 12 starts and career earnings of $46,882. He paid $2.50 to win.

In the first division, Merchandiser reached the finish line just in time for his second career victory. A son of Muscle Hill, Merchandiser was scratched from last week’s first leg and instead turned in a sharp 1:56.3 qualifier last Thursday. Trainer/driver Greg Peck had eyes on the front-end Monday and pushed the sophomore trotter towards the lead rounding the first turn. Merchandiser had to do some trotting on the outside, but eventually cleared to the front comfortably after trotting by three-eighths.

The Peck trainee posted fractions of :57.2 and 1:25.4 to lead the field by close to three lengths entering the stretch. Merchandiser maintained a decent lead for the majority of the lane, but Blenheim and driver Chris Christoforou came flying late to make things interesting. Despite the late challenge, Merchandiser found the wire first to win by a head in a career-best 1:55.3. Blenheim and P C Foreign Affair rounded out the top three finishers.

Merchandiser now has two wins in five starts this season for owners Peck, Christy Markos and Robert Burgess. His career bankroll now sits at $11,490 after six career starts. Merchandiser paid $4.30 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Tie Silk, the 3-year-old trotters had to be non-winners of C$30,000 in 2015.

Donicus will now have a chance at a Tie Silk Series sweep in next Monday’s (April 25) C$32,200 final.

Live racing resumes Thursday evening (April 21) at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m.