Flying Mohawk Sheds Blinkers for Woodchopper Stakes

Flying Mohawk , soundly beaten in a pair of races following his runner-up finish in the March 22 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway Park, will attempt to bounce back with a change in equipment in the $100,000 Woodchopper Stakes Dec. 27 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

His last two races were with excuses. The Whit Beckman trainee first ran 18th of 19 in the May 3 Kentucky Derby (G1) when racing on the Churchill Downs main track—not the preferred surface for the turf and synthetic performer. Then he was too keen when fresh in a Nov. 22 comeback in the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3T) at Churchill, weakening to finish last of 10. The Commonwealth also followed summer colic surgery.

Now racing with blinkers off, an equipment change that typically helps horses to be more relaxed, the Two Eight Racing, Berry Family Racing, and Kaleta Racing-owned Karakontie   colt is poised for better in the Woodchopper, a 1 1/16-mile turf race restricted to 3-year-olds.

Flying Mohawk faces six rivals, among them Godolphin's Montador , who checked in a close fifth in that Commonwealth for trainer Mike Stidham.

Four races after the Woodchopper is the $100,000 Pago Hop Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, also at 1 1/16 miles on turf.  Bracelet , Caviar Breakfast , and Sea To Sky —respectively fourth, fifth, and sixth in the Nov. 28 Mrs. Revere Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs—are the headliners.