Mohawk: Sebastian K, Market Share take Maple Leaf elims

A pair of $40,000 eliminations for the Maple Leaf trot were contested on Friday night at Mohawk racetrack. As has been the norm, Sebastian K powered to an easy win while Market Share got back on track with a score of his own.

In the first split, Sebastian K was fast off the gate and quickly assumed command well before the 26 4/5 opening quarter. Driver/trainer Ake Svanstedt rated a soft half of 57 seconds before taking on a late challenge from Archangel at the conclusion of a 28 3/5 third quarter. But in the stretch Sebastian K simply powered away with ease to post a 1:52 2/5 victory over a closing Creatine and a weakened Archangel.

“It was very easy, but that was good for him,” explained Svanstedt about the soft fractions.

Joining the top three in the $603,000 final next Saturday are Wishing Stone and Flanagan Memory.

The second elimination saw plenty of early action as Modern Family, DWs NY Yank and Intimidate exchanged places on the engine. Intimidate eventually secured command from a two-moved Modern Family between the opening fractions of 27 1/5 and 56 2/5.

When Market Share came to call past the half it was apparent that he meant business tonight. He cruised past three quarters in 1:26 and opened up a large lead in the stretch. The Linda Toscano trainee stopped the timer in 1:53 for driver Tim Tetrick.

“He was real brave when he crossed over (to the lead) and I was tickled with him,” said Toscano.

Mister Herbie, Undercover Strike, Modern Family and Intimidate rounded out the top five in order to advance to the final.