James MacDonald took home five victories during the 10-race card at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (July 27) evening, with two of the wins coming from the second leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg for freshman trotters. In fact, MacDonald was in the top three in all four of the OSS Gold divisions and was in the top four for nine of his 10 drives of the evening.
Elegant Resolve and MacDonald followed the pocket trip to victory in the $103,100 division for the freshman males.
Masstercraft (Trevor Henry) was the pacesetter throughout the mile, setting panels in :28.1, :58.3, and 1:28.1. Elegant Resolve followed at his heels every step of the way until the stretch when they met eye-to-eye. It came down to the wire as Elegant Resolve won by a head in 1:56.1 over Masstercraft. Stony Burke (Sylvain Filion) finished third.
Matt Bax trains Elegant Resolve as he earned his first win in two starts. Bax Stable, Gaelic Stable, Sharon and Don Allensen, and Happy Trails Stables co-own the gelding by Resolve and out of the Elegant Serenity mare.
Willys Home Run (pictured above) won her split for freshman trotting fillies with MacDonald in the bike to take home the winner's share of $102,200 prize.
From the far outside in the field of eight, MacDonald and Willys Home Run got away fifth as Hit The Bank (Bob McClure) led the field to the quarter in :29.1 and half in :59. R Liza (Jamieson) pulled from the pocket and Willys Home Run followed her lead second over as they breezed past the three-quarters in 1:28.4. Willys Home Run hit the gas in the stretch to seal the deal on her own 'home run', winning by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:57.1. R Liza took second and Hit The Bank rounded out the triactor.
Trained by Kyle Fellows, Willys Home Run (Archangel-Rite Outa The Park) moved her record to 2-1-0 in three starts with $107,100 earned.
MacDonald collected his three other wins with the Francis Dumouchel-trained Twin B Fling ($3.40) in 1:58.2, Matt Bax trainee Its Your Choice ($4.60) in 1:55.2, and Dakota Shadow ($4.10) for Desiree Jones in 1:52.1. This season so far, MacDonald leads all drivers by earnings and sits second in the nation by wins.
In the $102,200 OSS Gold leg for two-year-old filly trotters, Classy Royale equaled the current season's national record of 1:56 for freshman trotting fillies, set originally by Willys Home Run in mid-July.
Jody Jamieson and Classy Royale settled into post seven in the field of eight as the gate swung to the straightaway. Evolving (MacDonald) was the first to the top, followed by No One (Bruce Richardson), and Classy Royale, who was locked out on the outside as they clocked the opening panel in :28. Classy Royale took command and set the tempo for the remainder of the mile, clocking the half in :59 and three-quarters in 1:27.3. Jamieson and Classy Royale kept on going down the stretch to win by a comfortable 4-3/4 lengths and career best time in 1:56. No One finished second and Evolving rounded out the top three.
Carl Jamieson trains the Royalty For Life-Very Classy filly as she won her second OSS Gold Leg and second race in three starts. She has now banked $106,650.
Jack N Abs wrapped up the OSS Gold action for the evening, winning the $103,100 division for colts and geldings from gate-to-wire.
Doug McNair rocketed out of the gate with the Gregg McNair trainee from post eight, clearing the lead with a 1-3/4 length advantage. Jack N Abs set the tempo through panels in :28.2, 1:00.2, and 1:29.1. Mrstery Deal (Filion) closed in on Jack N Abs in the stretch, but McNair urged him forward to a three-quarter length victory in 1:57.3. Mrstery Deal took second and Soar Higher (MacDonald) finished third.
Gregg McNair, Brady Doyle, and Shady Hill Racing Stable co-own the Muscle Mass-Lady Bling colt. He made his debut winner's circle appearance, picking up his first win in three starts.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.