by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — An action-packed round two of the Tie Silk series took place Monday night (April 27) at Mohawk Racetrack. Drama was not lacking in the two C$15,000 second leg divisions that were contested.

In the first division, Duh Bubbees clicked off a two hole trip to win by a quarter-length over the 4-5 favorite Covert Operative.

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Duh Bubbees was a narrow winner in his Tie Silk division.

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Duh Bubbees grabbed the early lead, but would allow Raising Richard to circle around from second down the backstretch to get a two hole trip. Covert Operative, a leg one winner, had a poor start and got away in sixth.

The favorite would be forced to come first up in the middle half, while Filion would pull Duh Bubbees out of the pocket nearing the three-quarter pole.

In the stretch, Duh Bubbees would take the lead and had a two length advantage on Covert Operative halfway down the lane. The favorite would try to chip away at Duh Bubbees’ lead, but ultimately came up just short. Duh Bubbees tripped the timer in a career-best 1:56.3 to score his first victory in four starts this season. Top Dollar finished third, while Raising Richard faded back to fourth.

A 3-year-old son of Up Front Ben, Duh Bubbees was able to flip the script in leg two, as he had finished a game second to Covert Operative in round one of the Tie Silk. Duh Bubbees is trained by Jamie Wilson and owned by Chris Wilson. The gelding trotter now has four career wins and a bankroll of more than C$29,000. Duh Bubbees paid $17 to win.

The second division would also feature a two-horse stretch battle, but would be left up to the judges to decide the winner.

Tarot, who won a first leg division, was sent off as the heavy 3/5 favorite and would come away fifth in the early stages for driver Randy Waples.

The public’s choice would move to the outside as the field neared the final turn and caught the cover of Hemi Seelster and driver Steve Byron. The outside challengers would close in on leader In Secret nearing the three-quarter pole.

In the stretch, Hemi Seelster would take the lead, while Tarot came off his back to challenge on the outside. The two trotters would slug it out down the lane with Hemi Seelster holding the advantage. However, Tarot would make a break in deep stretch allowing Hemi Seelster to hold on and cross the wire first in 1:55.

The inquiry sign was flashed immediately by the Ontario Racing Commission judges following the race, as the judges reviewed the stretch drive. The judges would rule that Hemi Seelster interfered with Tarot in the stretch causing the favorite to break and reversed the order of the top two finishers, which vaulted Tarot into the top spot for the victory. Amityville Lindy finished third, while In Secret was fourth.

The placing victory gives Tarot six wins from ten starts this season for trainer Dave Tyrrell and owner Michael Casalino Jr. The 3-year-old son of Taurus Dream now has career earnings of more than C$66,000. Tarot returned $3.20 to win.

The Tyrrell trainee will be the lone trotter to have a chance at a series sweep in next Monday’s Tie Silk final. The series final will be contested for a purse of C$34,000.

In order to be eligible to the Tie Silk, the 3-year-old trotting colts and geldings had to be non-winners of C$30,000 in 2014.