CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Mohawk Racetrack fans got an impressive display of muscle from the two-year-old pacing colts on Sunday evening as Raw Energy dug in for a head victory and the season’s second Gold Final title.

Starting from Post 5, Raw Energy and driver Chris Christoforou landed in sixth spot on the rail as Twin B Survivor hit the quarter pole on top in :28.1. As the lead shuffled hands past the :56.2 half Christoforou was content to let Raw Energy save ground on the rail, but when fan favourite Goose Creek powered up on the outside heading for the 1:25 three-quarters, the driver was quick to follow.

As the colts turned for home, Raw Energy was just two lengths back of Goose Creek and a smart finishing kick propelled him past the favourite and kept a hard closing Warrawee Ideal at bay as the colts swept under the wire in 1:54.2. Goose Creek was a length and three-quarters back in third.

“He’s shown he can finish very strong, so I thought if I could just race him for a quarter of the mile that would work out the best,” said driver Chris Christoforou after the race. “He shot home like a rocket.”

The narrow victory was Raw Energy’s first this season. Trainer James Dean opted to skip the Gold Series season opener at Georgian Downs and prepped the Astreos son for last week’s elimination with a two-year-old event at Mohawk on June 24. Fourth in his debut, Raw Energy finished second last weekend to Twin B Survivor, closing from eighth with a :27.3 last quarter.

“He’s done everything right from day one. He was one that progressed right along, didn’t have any problems at all,” noted trainer Dean. “Some are ready early and some aren’t, and he’s one that was ready.”

Charalambos Christoforou of Campbellville bred and owns Raw Energy, who will have an opportunity to defend his gold crown on July 16 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Sent off as the fourth choice by Mohawk fans, Raw Energy returned $12.40 to win, $9.50 to place and $4.00 to show. Sixth choice Warrawee Ideal delivered a $13.90 place pay out and a $5.80 show dividend and favourite Goose Creek paid $3.50 to show. The exactor was worth $151.00, the triactor paid $398.20 and combining the top three finishers with fourth-place colt Twin B Survivor netted an $814.20 superfecta pay out.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Mohawk Racetrack this Thursday, July 13 with Gold Eliminations for the two-year-old trotting colts.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rmohssu.html#N8