Mohawk: Resolve, Hannelore Hanover score in Maple Leaf Trot eliminations

Ake Svanstedt didn't make it to Mohawk on Saturday night, but he was able to find an able substitute to guide Resolve in one of two C$40,000 eliminations for the Maple Leaf Trot. John Campbell, the Hall of Famer who has sat behind some of the sport's premier trotters, got the call and converted rather easily as a 1-2 shot in the first set, scoring in 1:51 1/5 in a field of six with just one horse eliminated.

Campbell had raced against Resolve and really didn't need much of an introduction as he stepped on the gas early and took control through a 27 2/5 opening quarter. The 5-year-old by Muscle Hill strolled to the half in 56 1/5 with little reaction from his five rivals. On the far turn Campbell and Resolve opened some ground as Shake It Cerry, the lone mare in the field, advanced to take chase. After the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters, Resolve was ready to race and responded readily when Campbell called on him to sprint home in 26 4/5, leaving Shake It Cerry in his wake. Lookslikeachpndale, the early leader, finished third with Musical Rhythm fourth and Flanagan Memory finishing fifth and advancing to the final.

"He's pretty push-button," said Campbell of Resolve. "That was a pretty good last quarter into the headwind."

Hans Enggren owns Resolve, now a three-time winner in 2016.

Supplemental entry Hannelore Hanover got the job done just as easily in the second elimination. Yannick Gingras tucked early with the Indiana-bred daughter of Swan For All as JL Cruze asserted himself through a 27 second opening quarter. Gingras moved at that point and waltzed to the front, controlling the action in a 55 1/5 half.

ll Sogno Dream and driver Scott Zeron made a quick move on the final turn to engage Hannelore Hanover, but Gingras had nothing to worry about after hitting three-quarters in 1:24 1/5. The final quarter sprint was a solo affair as Hannelore Hanover drew clear with Il Sogno Dream, Windsun Revenge, Nahar and early leader JL Cruze following into the September 17 final.

Ron Burke trains the 1-20 favored Hannelore Hanover, who scored in 1:52 for her ninth straight victory in 2016. Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi, and Frank Baldachino put up $45,000 to supplement and earned some of that back with the elimination victory.

Driver Gingras was asked his opinion before the supplement as well.

"I thought she deserved a shot," said Gingras, "But it wasn't my money."

"She raced great tonight and had something left," added Gingras, who revealed there was no need to extend the mare in the stretch with the 4-year-old mare finishing with earplugs in.

Here's how the field will line up for next Saturday night's final:

1) Resolve
2) Lookslikeachpndale
3) Flanagan Memory
4) Hannelore Hanover
5) Il Sogno Dream
6) JL Cruze
7) Windsun Revenge
8) Nahar
9) Musical Rhythm
10) Shake It Cerry