Wheeling N Dealin remained undefeated in seven starts this season as he captured the $462,000 William Wellwood Memorial Trot on Saturday (Sept. 15) at Mohawk.
The rookie son of Cantab Hall-Liza Maid, sent off as the odds-on favorite, settled into third position in the early going for driver Sylvain Filion as Murmur Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) led his nine rivals past the opening quarter in 28.1.
Heading towards the half, Filion angled Wheeling N Dealin off the pylons and to command before the mid-way station in 57.2. Murmur Hanover was now enjoying a pocket trip with My Man Can (Andy Miller) tracking in third.
Filion was still the leader past three-quarters of a mile in 1:27.2, but first-over attacker, Cool Victory (Jack Moiseyev), was stalking on the outside and was matching strides with the tempo-setter.
Down the lane, Filion asked his charge for more trot and the Wheeling N Dealin responded, fending off all rivals to score the 1-3/4-length victory in 1:55.3. Murmur Hanover finished second over My Man Can, with Cool Victory fourth.
"We did get a good breather in the third quarter," Filion said. "When we turned for home, I asked him a bit and he just went on. He's just an amazing animal, so easy to drive and he's got all the qualities. He's learning how to race and I think he's getting better and better."
Dustin Jones trains the winner of $375,457 for owner Ecurie Synergie. He paid $3 to win.
Wheeling N Dealin
by Ashley Mayotte, for Woodbine Entertainment Group
Courtesy of The United States Trotting Association Web Newsroom
