Woodbine Mohawk Park: Mohawk Gold Cup goes to Linedrive Hanover

Linedrive Hanover, sent off at 10-1, surged in deep stretch and posted a 1:47 2/5 victory in Saturday night's C$100,000 Mohawk Gold Cup Invitational for older male pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Driven by James MacDonald, Linedrive Hanover showed speed from post four and wound up two-wide until past the 26 second opening quarter as Blue Hunt (Travis Cullen) drove through to his inside to take command. In the second quarter Abuckabett Hanover (Dexter Dunn) fired out of fourth, and he was able to wrestle control away from Blue Hunt past the 53 4/5 half.

With the outer tier clogged by a struggling Bonniprinclouis N (David Miller), Abuckabett Hanover kept the pedal to the metal and reached three-quarters in 1:20 3/5, but in the lane MacDonald swung Linedrive Hanover to the outside, and although Abuckabett Hanover had the jump on him and was game to boot, Linedrive Hanover got by him in the shadow of the wire to score by a head. Taurasi (Doug McNair) was full of pace on the inside and nailed Abuckabett Hanover for second in the driving finish, and Blue Hunt held fourth. Oakwood Ardan (Andy McCarthy), mired behind the poor cover, had to settle for closing in 25 4/5 for fifth.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

"I knew I had a great horse if I could just find some kind of nice trip," remarked MacDonald. "We were lucky tonight. I was able to slip out at the top of the stretch, and he's an amazing animal. He's had a couple of tough trips this year, and he just bounces back like a pro. That's what great horses do."

A 6-year-old Betting Line gelding, Linedrive Hanover is trained by Tony Beaton for owners West Wins Stable, McKinlay & Fielding and Mac Nichol. He made his 18th appearance in the winner's circle, has put away C$806,432, and paid $23.00 to win.