Woodbine Mohawk Park: Finalists set for William Wellwood Memorial

Magic Punk and Ardonne both posted 1:54 4/5 miles in winning two C$30,000 William Wellwood Memorial eliminations for 2-year-old male trotters on Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The first elimination saw Strobe Lite (Tyler Borth) cut the opening quarter in 28 2/5, but he was passed by a pocket-pulling Magic Punk (Dexter Dunn) in the backstretch and then Magic Punk was overtaken by Greenarrow Hanover (Bob McClure) past the 58 2/5 half.

Greenarrow Hanover stayed in front to three-quarters in 1:27 4/5 and turned for home first, but Magic Punk swung to his outside in the lane and went by en route to a 1 3/4 length victory. Also making next Saturday's final were Greenarrow Hanover, Strobe Lite, Tavern Onthe Green (Louis Roy) and Touchedbyanangel (Doug McNair).

"I hadn't sat behind him, but I finished second to him in his last start at the Meadowlands," remarked Dunn. "He looked like a pretty sporty horse and sitting behind him tonight, he felt pretty sporty. He's a really nice colt."

A Wishing Stone colt, Magic Punk is trained by Ake Svanstedt for owner Magic Punk Inc. Bred by Id Int Trotting And Breeding, Magic Punk has won three of his four starts, has earned C$42,055 and paid $3.10 to win.

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In the other elimination D A Masstermind (Chris Christoforou) was the leader at the 28 1/5 quarter-mile marker but Crunchintheodds (James MacDonald) tipped out of second and grabbed command on the way to the 58 1/5 half. Cambridge Hanover (Dunn) then angled out first-up out of third on the final bend, and that gave cover to Ardonne (Scott Zeron) as they went to three-quarters in 1:27 1/5.

Cambridge Hanover was able to wear down Crunchintheodds in the lane and dug in gamely, but he was unable to hold off Ardonne, who got up late for the win by a head. First Class Mass (Jody Jamieson), Crunchintheodds and Tymal Starstruck (McNair) also moved on to the final.

"It was a 30 second second quarter, so we pinched up right there, and I was on Cambridge Hanover's back, right where I wanted to be," Zeron said. "To out-man him down the lane and stick his nose out, hats off to my horse."

Megan Scran trains Ardonne, a colt by Tactical Landing, for owner Philip Steinberg. Ardonne broke his maiden in his fourth chance, has now earned C$112,952 and returned $4 to win.

Here is how the field will line up for next Saturday's C$485,000 final:

1-Greenarrow Hanover
2-Magic Punk
3-Tymal Starstruck
4-Touchedbyanangel
5-Cambridge Hanover
6-Ardonne
7-First Class Mass
8-Tavern Onthe Green
9-Strobe Lite
10-Crunchintheodds
AE-Captain Code

No eliminations were needed for the companion Peaceful Way Stakes for rookie trotting fillies, but the post position draw was held for that C$385,000 final, which will also be part of next Saturday night's program:

1-Sister Scarlett
2-Bingo Night
3-Patrona
4-Feet Of The Moon
5-Calyx
6-Sugar Packet
7-Green Moni Queen
8-Shimmering Hanover
9-One Belle
10-Wishuponastar Deo
11-Upto Laura Hanover