Woodbine Mohawk Park: 2026 Graduate Series kicks off

The Graduate Series for 4-year-olds started Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park with trotter Monserrate and pacer Ayeaye Captain Deo and drawing first blood. Both the Graduate Pace and Trot opened with a single full field division for a purse of C$101,250.

Monserrate got room up the rail late to win in 1:52, giving driver Jason Bartlett and trainer Andrew Harris a second stakes win on the Saturday program.

Leaving from post six in an overflow field of 11, Monserrate was a parked-out third at the opening quarter, which saw Hey Porter leading the group in 27 seconds. The added horse making it a field of 11 made it a movement-filled race, as six were along the rail and five on the outside coming out of the first turn.

Monserrate marched up to the lead in the second split before allowing Mr Mouton to clear around just after a 55 2/5 half. Mr Walner Fashion was left first-up and pressed Mr Mouton's wheel to three-quarters in 1:23 3/5.

In the stretch, Mr Mouton did his best to fight off the outside challengers, but couldn't keep the rail shut, tiring late and opening up enough room for Monserrate to shoot through for the victory. Hey Porter finished third, while Warrior was fourth.

A son of Chapter Seven, Monserrate was entering off a bounce-back 1:51 4/5 score at the Meadowlands on May 15. The Harris trainee has now won two of four starts this season and is a seven-time winner lifetime. Owned by Punisher 11 Stable LLC., Monserrate has earned over C$750,000 lifetime. Monserrate paid $4.40 to win.

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Ayeaye Captain Deo and driver Bob McClure capitalized on a wicked front-end battle to sweep up for a career-best 1:47 3/5 victory in the Graduate Series Pace.

All eyes were on Bruno No No No and Prince Hal Hanover, as both have turned heads to start their 4-year-old seasons. Prince Hal Hanover got away third, while Bruno No No No got away fourth. The duo would both make a move entering the backstretch, with Prince Hal Hanover touching down on the lead just prior to a 54 1/5 half.

Driver Todd McCarthy had a decision to make with Prince Hal Hanover as Bruno No No No and Doug McNair right up beside. The decision was a final turn throwdown that saw the pacers got toe-to-toe for a 26 2/5 split to hit three-quarters in 1:20 3/5.

Prince Hal Hanover turned away Bruno No No No for the stretch drive, but didn't have much left in the tank. The backfield got into play, as Fifth And Five, who was fifth and several lengths off the lead turning for home and Ayeaye Captain Deo, who was behind him, started storming on the outside. Both came surging in the lane to go by rivals, with Ayeaye Captain Deo delivering the most on the end to win. Fifth And Five was second by 1 3/4 lengths.

Prince Hal Hanover hung in tough to finish third. Bruno No No No didn't quit either and was just a little more than a length back of his main rival to finish sixth.

Trained by Garry Merner, Ayeaye Captain Deo entered Saturday's contest with two wins in five starts on the season. The son of Captaintreacherous owned by Gino Toscani. The Graduate Series leg win, and tenth overall, will move Ayeaye Captain Deo's career earnings to over C$400,000. With the bulk of the money coming in on Prince Hal Hanover and Bruno No No No, Ayeaye Captain Deo went off at 25-1 to pay $52 to win.

The Graduate Series now shifts to the Meadowlands for the next leg on June 12.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--