Woodbine Mohawk Park: Road to the Mohawk Million - Week 6

The inaugural Mohawk Million for 2-year-old trotters is scheduled for September 26 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Nine owners paid $110,000 each to own slots for the $1,000,000 race. Each slot-holder may enter their own horse in the Mohawk Million or make arrangements with another owner to use the entry. In addition, a tenth spot in the million-dollar race was awarded to William Wellwood Memorial winner On A Streak.

The Mohawk Million for $1 million (USD) will be the richest Standardbred race contested in Canada since 2012. The event for rookie trotters will headline a $2.5 million-plus card on September 26. Ticket holders must enter horses by Monday, September 21.

Below are the Top 10 horses on the Road to the Mohawk Million as rated by DRF Harness Editor Derick Giwner, along with his commentary and that of Woodbine Mohawk Park handicapper Robert Reid Jr.

HORSE	SEX	SIRE	RECORD/BEST WIN TIME	TRAINER	DRIVER	LAST START
Captain Corey	C	Googoo Gaagaa	4-4-0-0 (1:53 3/5 - Mw)	Ake Svanstedt	Ake Svanstedt	Won PASS final at Pocono on 9/5
Donna Soprano	F	Donato Hanover	5-5-0-0 (1:53 3/5 – WbSb)	Luc Blais	Bob McClure	Won Peaceful Way at Mohawk on 9/12
On A Streak	C	Cantab Hall	6-1-3-1 (1:54 3/5 – WbSb)	Luc Blais	Scott Young	Won Wellwood at Mohawk on 9/12
Southwind Tyrion	C	Muscle Hill	5-4-1-0 (1:54 - Med)	Ake Svanstedt	Yannick Gingras	2nd in Wellwood at Mohawk on 9/12
Macho Martini	C	Muscle Mass	8-7-0-1 (1:54 4/5 - Wbsb)	Luc Blais	Bob McClure	3rd in Wellwood at Mohawk on 9/12
Flawless Country	F	Southwind Frank	6-4-2-0 (1:54 1/5 - PcD)	Ake Svanstedt	Ake Svanstedt	Won PASS final at Pocono on 9/5
Venerate	C	Love You	5-2-0-2 (1:52 4/5 - Lex)	Julie Miller	Andy Miller	Broke in KYSS at Red Mile on 9/6
Zenith Stride	C	Muscle Hill	4-1-0-0 (1:55 1/5 – Med)	Mark Harder	Brian Sears	2nd in Qualifier at Meadowlands on 9/12
Altar	F	Muscle Hill	5-2-0-0 (1:54 3/5 – MedQ)	Per Engblom	David Miller	Broke in qualifier at Meadowlands on 9/12
Iznogoud Am S	C	Muscle Hill	6-0-3-1 (1:57 1/5 – MedQ)	Marcus Melander	Brian Sears	Broke in KYSS at Red Mile on 9/6

1-Captain Corey

Owner(s): SRF Stable, Knutsson Trotting, Midnight Sun Partners, Ake Svanstedt

Giwner: Leaving him at #1 just in case since he doesn’t have anything on his schedule, but according to co-owner Tristan Sjoberg, he's not coming. "He will stay stateside and we will discuss the exact schedule later in the week in consultation with Ake. But the Breeders Crown remains the big target for the year. He is also staked to Bluegrass (but not ISS), Kindergarten, Matron and Valley Victory."

Reid: Has established himself as the best freshman trotter south of the border and the one to beat. I'm still holding out hope that he shows up.

2-Donna Soprano

Owner(s): Determination

Giwner: I didn't think her trip in the Peaceful Way was as bad as others, but the performance was spectacular. From what I saw, she deserves the Determination-owned ticket over Macho Martini. According to the rules, only one of the two can enter.

Reid: Won with condescending ease in the Peaceful Way and has been breathtaking in all her starts against the girls. She has done enough to earn a spot against the boys, but her connections have a difficult decision.

3-On A Streak

Owner(s): Determination

Giwner: Some will say he stole the Wellwood to earn his ticket into the Mohawk Million. Watch the replay, he earned it! Southwind Tyrion came right up to his eyes and he dug in like a champion to fight him off.

Reid: Was dead game in winning the Wellwood but threw a monkey wrench into the plans of seeing Macho Martini and Donna Soprano complete the one-two punch for Determination. He might get overlooked for others on the board again in the Million.

4-Southwind Tyrion

Owner(s): SRF Stable, Ake Svanstedt, Knutsson Trotting Inc., Brittany Farms LLC

Giwner: Raced very well to be second in the Wellwood. He took plenty of air on the rim and only lost by a head. With very similar ownership to #1 it appears as though he'll also skip the race. Word is he has left Canada and is preparing for Grand Circuit races at the Red Mile.

Reid: Could not get past a determined winner in the Wellwood and will be a main player again if his connections opt to pick up one of the available spots.

5-Macho Martini

Owner(s): Determination

Giwner: He clearly had a bad trip in the Wellwood, but was it so bad that he couldn't win? For my money, great horses overcome a trip like that one. I respect his ability but he failed his first test in my eyes. He races Saturday in an Ontario Sire Stakes Gold division.

Reid: Had no chance with a horrendous trip in the Wellwood and should not be counted out, as there is still a strong possibility of his connections siding with him as their best chance if he is none the worse for wear.

6-Flawless Country

Owner(s): Ake Svanstedt, Wolfgang A Stable Inc., Borje Nasstrom

Giwner: She is one of three from this barn on the list and obviously only two can race. She's super consistent but may not be as fast as the others.

Reid: Is likely on the outside looking in but has tremendous ability as one of the top rookie filly trotters in North America.

7-Venerate

Owner(s): Pinske Stables, Andy Miller Stable Inc.

Giwner: Made an early break tlast time. He's still talented. "We are going to focus on the KYSS Sunday and go from there. One race at a time,” said Julie Miller.

Reid: Will be a top contender if he makes the trip but scheduling conflicts and the logistics of getting him up here might be too daunting.

8-Zenith Stride

Owner(s): Emilio and Maria Rosati

Giwner: Finally reappeared after more than a month on the sidelines and put in a useful albeit slow 1:58 3/5 mile to be second. He will race in the Kindergarten Friday at The Meadowlands. Trainer Mark Harder called the Mohawk Million "a possibility" for this guy.

Reid: Has not raced since a shocking victory in the Peter Haughton on Hambo Day but did resurface for an even-looking qualifier on Sept. 12th.

9-Altar

Owner(s): Diamond Creek Racing

Giwner: She has big speed but also a major breaking issue. She’s on the list because her connections (Adam Bowden) own a ticket.

Reid: Is a boom or bust type that dominated the NJSS final but could not stay flat in the Doherty. She would be an outsider if she enters.

10-Iznogoud Am S

Owner(s): Courant Inc.

Giwner: He's winless but at least he was second behind the speedy Cuatro De Julio on August 16. Owner has a ticket and it makes more sense to use it and hope for a good check than sit on the sidelines. He reportedly is training well.

Reid: Is still a maiden that has picked up pieces in both the NJSS and KYSS. If the owner did not have a ticket, he would likely not be in the conversation.

NEWS & NOTES: According to trainer Brett Bittle, Darlene Hanover will head next to the Kentucky Sire Stakes final at Red Mile and then to the Breeders Crown and Goldsmith Maid. Trainer Marcus Melander reports that owners for both In Range and Dancinginthedark M have been offered tickets but declined. Cuatro De Julio is racing next in the Kentucky Sire Stakes final on September 20 at Red Mile and has been quoted as saying he will skip the race. Ticket holders Jeffrey Snyder and Fashion Farms (Jules Siegel) are both actively shopping their tickets. John Fielding said he was undecided on whether he would race his co-owned Locatelli in the Mohawk Million or look to partner with the owners of a different horse.