by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Grand Circuit trotting mares capped off an eventful long weekend Monday night (Mat 23) at Mohawk Racetrack. The first leg of the Miss Versatility Series featured two $22,800 divisions.

The series for older trotting mares stops at Mohawk twice, The Meadowlands and Tioga Downs before wrapping up with the final on Little Brown Jug Day at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

A scratch in each division left fields of seven to battle in first round splits.

Jewels In Hock and driver John Campbell won the first division in 1:54.2.

Jewels In Hock and driver John Campbell took care of business in the first division with a 1:54.2 victory by 4-1/2 lengths.

The Linda Toscano trainee took command of the race on the way to the half with a fourth to first move. After posting fractions of :57.3 and 1:26.2, Jewels In Hock kicked clear from her rivals and trotted home comfortably in :28 to win as the public’s choice. White Becomes Her, the leader at the opening quarter, finished second, while Missys Ga Ga crossed the wire third.

A daughter of Credit Winner, Jewels In Hock won nine of 17 starts last season and was the New York Sires Stakes champion. She finished her sophomore season with $353,996 in earnings.

The 4-year-old trotting mare picked up her first win in her second start of the season Monday. Owned by KJ Stables LLC, Jewels In Hock now has 12 career victories and $379,396 in career earnings. The Toscano trainee paid $3.80 to win.

In the second division, Rockin With Dewey just held off a late surge from Charmed Life to win in 1:53.3.

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Rockin With Dewey won the second division in a time of 1:53.3.

The Ben Baillargeon trainee flashed some early speed for driver Mario Baillargeon and got away in the two-hole behind longshot Second Sister. There was little movement throughout the opening half with Second Sister posting panels of :28.1 and :56.3.

Baillargeon angled Rockin With Dewey out of the pocket nearing the three-quarter pole, while Charmed Life was moving up towards the front on the outside. In the stretch, Rockin With Dewey took the lead and was trotting up a storm. Charmed Life was sitting a few lengths back of the leader, but in the final strides closed in to make it a photo finish. At the wire, Rockin With Dewey came out on top by a narrow margin. Charmed Life now has four runner-up finishes in five starts this season. Elegant Serenity finished third.

A 6-year-old daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe, Rockin With Dewey now has two wins in five starts this season. She is owned by Ben Baillargeon and Diane Ingham. The trotting mare now has 16 career victories and earnings of $475,871. Rockin With Dewey paid $5.70 to win.

Rockin With Dewey has had success previously in the Miss Versatility. The Baillargeon trainee won two legs of the series last year.

The next leg of the Miss Versatility Series is set for Canada Day (July 1) at Mohawk.

Also on Monday, Flanagan Memory was a repeat winner in the $25,840 Preferred Trot.

Driven by Chris Christoforou, Flanagan Memory came first up around the final turn to draw even with the leader Rubber Duck turning for home. The Rene Dion trainee marched by to take the lead in the lane and score a 1-1/2 length victory in 1:53.3. Intimidate got up to finish second, while Rubber Duck was third.

A 6-year-old son of Kadabra, Flanagan Memory now has two wins in three starts this season after winning two of 15 starts last year and banking $285,027. He paid $3.10 to win Monday evening.

Live racing resumes Thursday night at Mohawk. Post time is 7:30 p.m.