Some of the province’s finest three-year-old trotting colts and geldings sparred in a trio of rich Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series divisions Tuesday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, and it was a night that wasn’t kind to the favourites.
Try Try Again kept his undefeated status intact thanks to a 1:55.3 triumph in his $68,000 division for the tandem of driver Chris Christoforou and conditioner Dustin Jones.
The colt got away fifth in the early going while On First marched to the top and cut out fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:25.4. Heavily-favoured Mass Production made a first-over bid in the backstretch, but made a costly break going into the final turn. Try Try Again, who was tracking that foe’s cover, was then left to go first over the rest of the way. He dug down deep and used a :29.4 closing panel to prevail by a length over Parkhill Nonstop. On First faded to finish third.
“He got a little sleepy there,” said Jones from the winner’s circle. “Chris thought he was going to draw away and he got a little sleepy at the wire, but he won by a length so that was good.
“We’ve got him covered pretty good, his ears are blocked and that, so I think it’s time to put a set of pull-out ear plugs on him,” added the trainer.
Sent off as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering, Try Try Again improved his record to 5-for-5 for Dustin Jones Stables Inc, Ecuries Daniel Plouffe Inc, Noblock Racing Stable and Andrea Lea Racingstables. The son of Kadabra-Sweetspellosuccess lifted his lifetime earnings to $64,975 with the win.
LMC Mass Gem spent the entire mile parked out, but that didn’t stop the Nick Gallucci from posting the biggest win of his career. Louis Philippe Roy was given the cold shoulder by R First Class, who parked that foe through fractions of :27.1, :55.3 and 1:24.3. LMC Mass Gem staggered home in :30.3 to post the win by 2-1/2 lengths over race favourite R First Class in 1:55.1. Dream Massive was third.
“I probably gave him the worst trip you can have and he kept going on,” said Roy, with a rueful chuckle, from the winner’s circle. “He (does) not have a real lot of speed, but he can carry on that speed for a while.
“In the stretch I thought in my mind I was probably going to beat Sylvain (Filion with R First Class), because I seen his horse was a little bit more tired than mine, and I knew mine can carry his speed, like I said, for long,” added the Mont-Joli, QC native. “But I thought that some were going to come too, but I didn’t hear them until late stretch, so I was happy with the win.”
Sent off as the 3-1 second choice, LMC Mass Gem improved this year’s record to 2-2-2 from six trips to the track for owner Loredana Cirillo of Kleinburg, Ont. The homebred son of Muscle Mass-Hornby Gem boasts a bankroll that stands at $69,952.
Magic Night was a wire-to-wire winner in the final division, and in doing so he gave driver Louis Philippe Roy the Gold Series double. Roy hustled the Suzie Kerwood trainee to the lead from Post 9, and together the threw down fractions of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:26.3 before scooting home in :28.3 for the 1:55.1 decision. Scene A Magician was next best, with the show dough going to Northern Major.
“He’s got so much talent, I think if he change his manners he might be probably the best one, going a little bit faster than what he showed tonight,” said Roy of Magic Night, adding that the gelding can be a handful on the racetrack.
“He didn’t surprise me. I told a few people that I think he can win tonight, actually,” said trainer Suzie Kerwood. “When he had the ten-hole a couple weeks ago (June 5) here at Mohawk he went right to the top. He just got beat at the wire in 1:55, which I thought was pretty impressive. That’s when he really started to impress me.
“He’s a nice big horse, big strong horse, and he’s a beautiful animal, just a beautiful animal,” added Kerwood, noting that her entire team has contributed to the gelding’s current success. “I’m just fortunate to have him in training.”
Tommy Andersson of Rockwood, Ont. owns the improving son of Kadabra-Bedtime Song who went 0-for-7 in his rookie year. This season, however, has proved to be a productive campaign for the youngster who now boasts a 2-3-0 record from six trips to the track. The lion’s share of the loot lifted his lifetime earnings to $59,858.
(With quotes from O.S.S.)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.
For the official judges' report from Tuesday's card, click the following link: Judges' Report - Mohawk - June 27.