Woodbine Mohawk Park: Fields set for Goodtimes, Armbro Flight finals

Sophomore trotters took the spotlight on Friday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park for the eliminations of the Goodtimes. A pair of C$30,000 eliminations were contested to determine the field for next Saturday's (June 18) C$251,000 final.

Fast As The Wind took care of business as the heavy favorite in the first elimination. Driver Dexter Dunn moved the Tony Alagna trainee to the top from third entering the backstretch and never looked back, posting fractions of 56 4/5 and 1:25 3/5 en route to a 1:53 2/5 score. Runner-up Southwind Domino finished three lengths back of the winner. The final three horses advancing were Pretender, Archery Seelster and Duly Resolved.

"He's really fast and he was still travelling really good coming off the turn," said Dunn. "I was confident he was going to kick away there and he did.

"He finished last year off so strongly and he's come back better this year. His qualifiers and his races have been super and his last quarters have been really strong, so that gives you lots of confidence."

A son of Cantab Hall, Fast As The Wind had finished second and third in his previous two outings this season, both against older foes. The Alagna trainee had a busy rookie season, winning five of 15 starts, including a major victory in the Valley Victory. Fast As The Wind has now earned C$587,727 for owners LeBlanc and Kribbs, Joe Sbrocco and Joe Barbera. The popular winner paid $2.80 to win.

Ontario-sired star Twin B Archie converted off a perfect two-hole trip to win the second elimination. James MacDonald guided the Scott McEneny trainee to a career-best 1:53 1/5 score.

Looks Like Moni did the road work, cutting out fractions of 28, 56 4/5 and 1:25 2/5, while Twin B Archie sat right behind in the pocket. Turning for home, Twin B Archie angled out and would muscle by to win by a head. World At War Deo came into the mix late to finish third. A three-way photo for fourth saw Testing Testing and Gigondas secure the final two spots in next week's final.

A gelded son of Archangel, Twin B Archie improved to three-for-four this season, now sporting a Grand Circuit victory to go with his triumph in the SBOA Stakes. The OSS Super Final winner at 2 has seven wins and C$398,866 in career earnings for owners McEneny, Domenic Chiaravalle, Floyd Marshall and Marwest Racing Stable.

"He fought right to the wire," said McEneny of Twin B Archie's effort Friday. "He can go with these guys and hopefully get a good trip next week and have a shot at it."

Twin B Archie paid $6.40 to win.

The post position draw for next week's final took place immediately following the eliminations. The connections of Fast As The Wind and Twin B Archie were able to select their post for the final by virtue of their victory Friday.

The field for the C$251,000 Goodtimes Final is listed below:

1-Archery Seelster
2-Duly Resolved
3-Gigondas
4-Fast As The Wind
5-Twin B Archie
6-Southwind Domino
7-Pretender
8-Looks Like Moni
9-World At War Deo
10-Testing Testing
AE-Safe Conduct

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

The post position draw for the Armbro Flight Stakes also took place on Friday evening. The C$211,000 event for older trotting mares did not require eliminations. The final will also take place on Saturday, June 18, as part of the Pepsi North America Cup card.

C$211,000 Armbro Flight

1-When Dovescry
2-Next Level Stuff
3-Bella Bellini
4-Amazone Duharas
5-Weslynn Quest
6-HP Mama B
7-Atlanta
8-Royalty Deal
9-Herculisa
10-Hey Livvy

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--