CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Grin Tin Tin extended his win streak to four with a 1:56.4 victory in his Gold Series Elimination at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening, over a track rated three seconds slower than normal.

The Grinfromeartoear colt and driver George Brennan took command of the race before the first quarter and reeled off fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:28 before pulling away from the field of two-year-old pacing colts by five and three-quarter lengths. Our Lucky Killean mounted a brief challenge around the final turn, but was unable to match strides with Grin Tin Tin down the stretch, and Im A Lucky Cam rounded out the top three.

David Scharf of New York, NY, Thomas Kaufman of Scarsdale, NY and Steven Arnold of Purchase, NY own the talented youngster, who has been on such a tear in recent weeks that Mohawk officials decided not to allow show wagering on the race. Since Aug. 30 Grin Tin Tin has captured the Metro Pace Consolation and divisions of the Champlain and Nassagaweya Stakes. Off the board in his first Gold Series attempt in July, the gelding looks more than ready to make up for that in next Monday’s Gold Final.

Also hoping to improve his luck in the $130,000 Final is Apache Limo, who captured the second elimination with a strong come-from-behind effort. The Apaches Fame son hit the wire one and a quarter lengths up on Armbro Balmoral in 1:57.3. Winfromheretohere was five lengths back in third.

Randy Waples drove the winner of $54,718 for trainer Bill Robinson and CMR Farms of Hagersville, and quipped after the race that Apache Limo’s season has matched his own in terms of ups and downs.

“I think if Randy Waples was ever to come back as a horse, he would come back as Apache Limo. I think his ability outweighs his brains,” laughed Waples. “I don’t know if the horse would have made it in a lot of barns. He is sort of a different kind of colt and my hat’s off to Team Robinson. They have done such a great job with him; Bill especially, he has really treated him with kid gloves right from the start.”

Since winning a Gold Elimination at Woodbine on July 10 Apache Limo has struggled in Gold Series action, fading badly in the July 17 Final and his Aug. 10 Elimination at Flamboro Downs.

Waples and Robinson returned to the winner’s circle after the sixth race when Putsamileon nabbed a quarter length victory over pacesetter and favourite I Am I Said and Flight Fifteen, sneaking up the inside to trip the teletimer at 1:57.3.

“It’s a windy night and there is a lot of mud out there, so sometimes there is a little bit more space then what there normally is when they are driving really tight,” said Waples of the inside lane that opened up in the stretch. “It just seemed to me that that was the way he had to be raced. I didn’t want to have to come first-over with him and where I landed it was either stay in or come first-over. I elected to stay and take a chance, he hadn’t raced in a bit and I just wanted to see him race well again.

“He raced really well earlier in the year, then he kind of went the other way for a few starts and now he is coming along well again.”

Owned by the Fred Monteleone Stable LLC. of Pompano Beach, FL, Grinfromeartoear son Putsamileon was making his first start since the Aug. 30 Metro Final.

Grabbing the glory in the last elimination, and scoring the fastest win of the four, was longshot Freedom Hanover who sprinted home to a 1:55.2 triumph over reigning Gold Final winner Sauble Jackson and Indianwood.

Chris Christoforou piloted the Rustler Hanover son to the win for trainer Brett Robinson and owners Sampson Street Stables of Old Forge, PA, Deena Rachel Frost of Delray Beach, FL, Jerry Silva of Bellmore, NY and Mathias Meinzinger of Central Islip, NY.

The top two finishers from each elimination are guaranteed a spot on the gate for the Gold Final next Monday, Sept. 29, while the third-place finishers must await the draw to see which two will have a shot at the $130,000 purse.