Woodbine Mohawk Park: Two eliminations take place for Canadian Pacing Derby

Bulldog Hanover responded in the stretch with a ferocious burst of speed for driver Dexter Dunn to capture the second and faster C$40,000 elimination to the Canadian Pacing Derby at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday night. The fastest pacer in harness racing history scored in 1:48, capturing his ninth race in 10 starts this year.

Dunn left the gate a bit with Bulldog Hanover, but found company as My Pal Joe blasted to the front for Doug McNair, as well as Tattoo Artist to his inside. This Is The Plan and Yannick Gingras also left between horses and remained parked through the 26 2/5 first quarter.

James MacDonald moved Tattoo Artist to the front after the quarter, and he kept the speed going while finally yielding to This Is The Plan before the 54 1/5 half clocking was reached. Trevor Henry and Desperate Man went on the offensive with a power move at the half, and that gave Dunn and Bulldog Hanover a live second-over tow heading past three- quarters in 1:21 2/5.

Desperate Man was able to wrest the lead into the stretch but was no match when Dunn called upon the Jack Darling-trained Bulldog Hanover in the stretch, as the 4-year-old by Shadow Play exploded to victory. Desperate Man held for second, with Tattoo Artist, Abuckabett Hanover and Workin Ona Mystery rounding out the finalists.

Owned by Jack Darling Stables and Brad Grant, Bulldog Hanover returned $2.30 to win.

"I was happy to take a helmet," said Dunn about the trip. "He can do it either way. He came that last eighth like he was warming up."

Darling paid homage to Dunn. "Dexter is a great driver. It was the kind of trip I've been hoping for," said Darling.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Jimmy Freight made a triumphant return to Ontario in the first C$40,000 Canadian Pacing Derby elimination, rallying along the pylons to a 1:49 1/5 victory for driver Louis-Philippe Roy.

Warrawee, Vital with Trevor Henry, blasted to the front ahead of Lou's Pearlman at the outset and set fractions of 27 4/5 and 56 1/5 for the opening-half. Todd McCarthy, driving 2-5 favorite Rockyroad Hanover, pulled at that point, looking to flush Jimmy Freight, but Roy didn't bite and McCarthy was left taking air as Warrawee Vital shifted gears, pacing a wicked :26 3/5 third quarter and losing the outer tier in the process.

With ample room Lou's Pearlman came off the pylons to attack in the stretch, paving the way for Jimmy Freight to go straight along the pylons. The 7-year-old by Sportwriter accelerated in an instant, overtook the leaders, and drew clear impressively. Warrawee Vital held on for the place spot, with Poseidon Seelster, Lou's Pearlman and Rockyroad Hanover advancing to the September 3 final.

Owned by Let It Ride Stable and Jimmy Freight Stable, Jimmy Freight returned $9.40 as the second choice while winning for the 12th time in 20 starts in 2022.

"I knew the two horses I was following tend to drift out in the stretch," said Roy following the victory. "He gives you all he's got every time."

This is how the field will line up behind the gate for next Saturday night's C$650,000 final:

1 – Rockyroad Hanover
2 – Jimmy Freight
3 – Abuckabett Hanover
4 – Bulldog Hanover
5 – Poseidon Hanover
6 – Desperate Man
7 – Lous Pearlman
8 – Tattoo Artist
9 – Workin Ona Mystery
10 – Warrawee Vital
AE – My Pal Joe