Woodbine Mohawk Park: Atlanta, Lather Up best in Graduate Series events

Yannick Gingras drove plenty of trotters in his recent trip to Sweden for the World Driving Championship, but none of the caliber of Atlanta. The two reunited on the racetrack on Saturday night in the C$99,000 Graduate leg at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and the result was again spectacular as Atlanta dominated a field of ten 4-year-old rivals, scoring in 1:53 over a track rated "good."

Atlanta left the gate nicely but was looped by stable-mate Mission Accepted, who cleared the front well before the 28 3/5 opening quarter. Once the dust settled, Atlanta and Gingras charged to command past the quarter, and the rest was history. Fractions of 57 4/5 and 1:25 2/5 had Altanta in full control with Gingras sitting chilly, and last year's Hambletonian champ took off with a 27 3/5 final quarter, winning convincingly with Mission Accepted holding second and Custom Cantab rallying for third. Alarm Detector and Manchego rounded out the check-getters.

For Atlanta, owned by Crawford Farms, Bradley Grant, and Howard Taylor, it was the second win in two starts as a 4-year-old under trainer Ron Burke. Atlanta returned $2.50 as the heavy chalk.

"I don't think I've ever had an easier horse to train," said Burke following the race, crediting her old trainer Rick Zeron for her development.

The C$99,000 Graduate division for 4-year-old pacers was a barn burner, with even-money choice Lather Up getting up on the wire and holding off Thiknkbig Dreambig by a scant nose in a 1:50 1/5 mile.

There was a great deal of early speed in the race, and Jimmy Freight needed two moves to secure the front in 27 1/5. Louis-Philippe Roy then guided Jimmy Freight to a soft half of 56 seconds, but then the action commenced as Dorsoduro Hanover (Gingras) was put into motion and blitzed the leader, challenging in a 27 2/5 third fraction. Jody Jamieson had Lather Up second-over, but he didn't follow the charge of Dorsoduro Hanover very closely, instead reserving his horse for the stretch drive.

Jamieson's savvy proved fortuitous, as last year's North America Cup winner rallied boldly between horses to go past the pace-maker and hold off a furious rally by Thinkbig Dreambig. Jimmy Freight held for third, with American History fourth.

Gary and Barbara Iles own Lather Up, who is now a winner three times in four starts in 2019 for trainer Clyde Francis. Lather Up returned $4.10 to win.

"Little worried when they got the half in 56," said Francis. "He's got a lot of guts."

Lather Up is now undefeated in six starts at Woodbine Mohawk Park.