Mohawk: Resolve overcomes first-over journey in Maple Leaf Trot triumph

Resolve and driver-trainer Ake Svanstedt sacrificed position early, but he proved the toughest horse in winning the C$632,000 Maple Leaf Trot impressively in 1:51 4/5. The son of Muscle Hill, a winner in one of the two eliminations a week ago, wore down the impressive mare Hannelore Hanover after the two dueled the entire final half.

Resolve, starting from the pole position, left hard along with Hannelore Hanover and Musical Rhythm from the far outside. An early spring put Hannelore Hanover in front before she released Musical Rhythm through the 26 4/5 quarter. Gingras regained the front with Hannelore Hanover, and Resolve was in third before Svanstedt moved to the outside approaching the half. With a half in 55 3/5, the race began in earnest as the two locked horns on even terms through a wicked three-quarters of 1:23.

Shake It Cerry, the other mare in the field of 10, had managed to work her way up after a long outside journey and ducked in behind Hannelore Hanover, but Resolve wasn't quitting, and Svanstedt made sure to continually remind his charge in the stretch. In the late stages Resolve edged past Hannelore Hanover, who raced valiantly in defeat. Shake It Cerry squeezed in for third along the inside, ahead of Flanagan Memory.

Owned by Hans Enggren, Resolve won for the fourth time in 2016, again coming up with a big mile when the big money was on the line, returning a $4.30 mutuel in the process.

"He's a great horse," said Svanstedt following the race. "He did a good job tonight."

Svanstedt had not expected to get away worse than second after requesting the rail, but Resolve more than made up for the change in journeys.