MacLellan earns first Mohawk win

Up-and-coming harness racing driver Damian MacLellan won at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Canada’s premiere track, for the first time on Friday (Dec. 20) in a 13-1 upset.

MacLellan sent Prince Edward Island-bred Howmac Maximus (Articulator) to the lead, and the gelding reached the engine before hitting the quarter in :27. Batterup Hanover (James MacDonald) drove on and took over on the backstretch, putting up middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.3.

With Mad Man Hill (Bob McClure) chipping away on the outside, Howmac Maximus was locked in the pocket into the final eight of a mile. An opening appeared in deep-stretch, and Howmac Maximus vaulted by the leader and held off the closing Bettor Than Pride (Jody Jamieson) to win by a half-length in 1:52.4.

Mad Man Hill was a game third.

HOWMAC MAXIMUS REPLAY

MacLellan trains and drives Howmac Maximus, who moved to Ontario for owner Grace Sorrie after she acquired the gelding earlier this month. The third-year driver, a Nova Scotia native, raced much of 2023 in Ontario, finishing the year with 10 wins from 123 starts. He returned to the province this November after racing on P.E.I. for the past 11 months. MacLellan has put up career numbers this term with 47 victories from 320 outings and $156,447 in earnings — totals greater than his first two seasons combined. He is 80-for-598 in the bike and has won 12 of 66 starts as a trainer.

Howmac Maximus has reached the winner’s circle 15 times in 61 lifetime appearances. The gelding made every career start in the Maritimes before his Mohawk Park debut last week. He is now nine-for-29 this year.

Woodbine Mohawk Park finished its race week on Saturday, Dec. 21. The 12-race card, starting at 7:10 p.m. EST, features a pair of Preferred pacing features.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink