Woodbine Mohawk Park: Four-year-olds begin Graduate Series

The Graduate Series for 4-year-olds rolled into town for Saturday's Grand Circuit action at Woodbine Mohawk Park. A pair of Graduate divisions for pacers were held, while a single dash for the trotters was contested.

Seven Colors made the lead exiting the first turn and rolled to a 1:48 2/5 victory in the first C$66,500 Graduate Series division for pacers.

Trained by Andrew Harris, Seven Colors and driver Dexter Dunn paced a final quarter of 26 1/5 to score the victory. Christchurch unleashed a wild 25 1/5 final quarter to just miss by a neck. Coach Stefanos also paced a 25 1/5 kicker to finish third.

"He was all along there on his free will," said Dunn. "I said to Andrew this is probably the best he's felt when I've sat behind him. He's heading the right direction."

Seven Colors is now one-for-three to start his 4-year-old season and has career numbers of nine wins and over C$750,000 earned. He’s owned by William Pollock, Bruce Areman and Harris. Seven Colors paid $8.10 to win.

The C$66,500 second Graduate Pace saw Huntinthelastdolar complete a front-end mission for a 1:49 2/5 victory. Yannick Gingras steered the Per Engblom trainee to the victory by three-quarters of a length. No Control finished second after a two-hole ride, while Redwood Hanover got up for third.

"He was really good and I was happy with him," said Gingras. "Good fraction in the middle-half and he sprinted on good...if he keeps racing like this, I think he can go with most of them."

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Huntinthelastdolar, who was coming in off a victory in the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup, is now four-for-six to start the season for owners John Fielding and E Five Racing. His latest victory bumps his career stats to 12 wins and over $730,000 earned. A $2 win ticket on Huntinthelastdolar paid $3.70.

The C$99,750 Graduate Series Trot saw Ontario-sired horses take the top three spots.

Osceola showed his determination to gut out a career-best 1:52 1/5 first-up victory for driver Doug McNair and trainer Gregg McNair.

Chapercraz cut out the mile, posting a clip of 26 3/5, 55 2/5 and 1:23 3/5. The leader wouldn't last, being swarmed at the head of the lane. Osceola came first-up from fourth and kept powering down the lane to win by a length. Hasty Bid charged through late to finish second, while Ghostly Casper was third.

Saturday was the first start in nearly a month for Osceola, who last time out won the Canadian Graduate Series final.

"He's more mature this year," said Doug McNair. "I'm not sure what the difference is. When you can use them a little more in the turns it makes them a heck of a lot handier."

Osceola is now three for four on the season with C$109,000 earned for owners Gregg McNair, Willow Oak Ranch and Paul Hawman. His lifetime numbers now sit at nine wins and nearly C$550,000 earned. Osecola paid $5.10 to win.

--press release (Woodbine Mohawk Park)--