by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Milton, ON — Round one of the Harvest Series came to a close Thursday (Oct. 11) with Ontario sired 2-year-old colts and geldings in action at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

A group of 21 pacers were split into three divisions, while 17 trotters were separated into two divisions. Each of Thursday’s round one divisions went for $13,090.

New Image Media photo

Mantario matched his career-best of 1:54.1.

Sportswriter gelding Mantario and driver Sylvain Filion were able to find room in the lane to split rivals for a half-length score in 1:54.1. The Scott McEneny trainee received a two-hole trip and despite being stuck behind a tiring leader at three-quarters, slid off the rail and shot through for his third win of the season. Shadow Tail was second, while Better Than Some was third.

Mantario has now earned $18,351 in 11 starts this season for owners M And L Of Delaware. The $60,000 Harrisburg yearling purchase matched his career-best of 1:54.1. He paid $7.90 to win.

Sunshine Beach colt Millenium Seelster and driver Chris Christoforou captured the second division in gate-to-wire fashion. The Charalambos Christoforou trainee stopped the clock in 1:55.2 to break his maiden. Lifetime Delight was second, beaten two lengths, while Better Than Cash was third.

Millenium Seelster’s maiden-breaking score came in his fifth start and pushes his earnings to $9,153 for owners Charalambos Christoforou and Banjo Farms. The C$42,000 London Selected Yearling Sale purchase paid $15.10 to win.

Sunshine Beach colt Carlisimo rallied from third-over to win the third pacing division in 1:55.2. The James ‘Friday’ Dean trainee left well to get away second, but got shuffled back in the middle half before sliding off the rail into a third-over spot. Joe Mcdude crossed the wire second, beaten a half-length, while Rousseau was a close third.

Carlisimo now has four wins in 10 starts and has earned $33,453 for owner Reginald MacPherson. The C$13,000 Atlantic Classic Sale purchase paid $5.30 to win.

Archangel gelding All Wrapped Up picked up his second consecutive coast-to-coast victory to take the first split for rookie trotters. The Rob Fellows trainee and driver Trevor Henry won by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:58. Cool Clifford finished second, while Cousin Peter was third.

All Wrapped Up is now two for six with $12,898 earned for owners Fellows, Arpad Szabo, Blair Corbeil and Mike McAllister. The C$11,000 London Selected Yearling Sale purchase paid $4.20 to win.

Angus Hall gelding Sinful muscled his way to a career-best 1:58.2 victory in the second trotting split. The Jack Moiseyev trainee and driver Chris Christoforou popped out from second nearing three-quarters, took the lead at the top of the lane and trotted off to a 1-1/2 length score. Scarlett Raider finished second, while Jmr Pinarello was third.

Sinful’s tally improved his rookie numbers to two wins and $17,086 earned in eight starts. The C$17,000 London Selected Yearling Sale purchase is owned by Friends Forever Racing, Emma Christoforou, All You Gotta Know Stable and Pamela Schmidt. The Moiseyev trainee Sinful paid $17.50 to win.

Ontario sired 2-year-olds, who were non-winners of C$30,000 as of Sept. 30, 2018, were eligible for nomination to the Harvest Series. The next leg for colts and geldings goes next Thursday (Oct. 18).

Live racing continues Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Post time is 7:10 p.m.