Woodbine Mohawk Park: On A Streak surprises big names in Wellwood Memorial

The C$535,000 William Wellwood Memorial final for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park was billed as a matchup between undefeated Southwind Tyrion and Macho Martini, but someone forgot to tell On A Streak, as he upset them and the rest of his rivals at odds 15-1. The final time was 1:54 3/5.

Logan Park (Louis-Philippe Roy) led the field of ten to the opening quarter in 27 2/5, but On A Streak (Scott Young) brushed from third to first beyond that point. After taking over, On A Streak went on to the half in 57 2/5 while Southwind Tyrion (Yannick Gingras) began a first-over move from fourth before that point.

When Southwind Tyrion got to the outside, Macho Martini (Bob McClure) ended up three-wide for a bit as Locatelli (Andrew McCarthy) was able to get in between him and Southwind Tyrion. Locatelli couldn't keep the hole closed on the far turn, though, and Macho Martini was able to slide back down to a two-wide position, though he gapped back from On A Streak and Southwind Tyrion as they were separated by just a neck at the 1:25 4/5 three-quarters.

Through the stretch Southwind Tyrion had every chance and then some to go by On A Streak, but On A Streak responded when Young called on him and simply wouldn't yield, keeping Southwind Tyrion at bay to win by a head, giving Young by far the biggest win of his driving career thus far. Macho Martini did gain belatedly but ended up third, followed by Tokyo Seelster (Sylvain Filion), and Warrawee Whisper (Jonathan Drury).

By virtue of the win, the tenth and final slot in the Mohawk Million in two weeks now belongs to On A Streak.

"The nerves were good. I was actually even surprised with myself, but it's my job. I'm here to work and do the best I can, but it's so much fun," said a beaming Young. "The two colts that were undefeated, all the eyes were on them, but I had complete confidence in my colt. He just missed Yannick's colt last week, and with an inside post I figured he'd be top three for sure. Anything better would be great, but we got the big one.

"My colt dug all the way down the lane. I still thought Yannick was going to get me halfway down the lane, and I was content with second even, but he kept digging, and right at the wire, we got 'er."

On A Streak, a Cantab Hall colt, picked one heck of a time to break his maiden, picking up his first win in his sixth appearance after having finished second three times and third once prior to tonight. Like Macho Martini, he is trained by Luc Blais for owner Determaination, and the Fredericka Caldwell-bred has now earned C$312,601. Out of the Muscles Yankee mare Habit's Best, On A Streak sold for $155,000 at last year's Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, and he is a half-brother to the exported Conway Hall stallion Habitat (1:53, $1,262,211). On A Streak paid $32.00 to win.