Two-year-old trotting colts and geldings trekked to Georgian Downs Tuesday evening to spar in a set of OSS Gold Series eliminations, and the track record went up in smoke when division-leading Murmur Hanover toured the oval in 1:56.3 in his $40,000 assignment.
The son of Majestic Son-Mrs Ronerail marched to the lead from Post 7 for driver Mario Baillargeon, who proceeded to chop out panels of :27.4, :58.3 and 1:27.2 with the youngster who used a :29.1 closing quarter to post the win over Cool Victory and Ozzy Ozzy. The 1:56.3 clocking was a full second faster than P L Fantastic, who owned the former record of 1:57.3 since September 6, 2011.
Ben Baillargeon trains Murmur Hanover, who improved his record to 5-2-1 from 10 starts, for owner R Berthiaume Inc of Pointe-Aux-Trembles, QC. The talented trotter, who was a $70,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, has now banked $323,109. He paid $3.30.
A ground-saving trip was parlayed into a 1:58.2 triumph in the second elimination by Majestized, who shook loose in the lane pulled off the upset to the tune of 11-1 for driver Jack Moiseyev.
The son of Majestic Son-Digitized battled to the quarter pole in :29.2 with Schoolhouse Rock before that foe took charge. Schoolhouse Rock was then pressed through middle panels of :59.3 and 1:28.4 by Flanagan Memory, who made a costly miscue at the three-quarter pole. Majestized found clearance in the lane and out-trotted his foes to the line in 1:58.2. Ark Went In rallied for the runner-up award, while Schoolhouse Rock faded to finish third.
Linda Duncan trains the career winner of $70,000 for owners Johnny and Kimberley Waite of Camden, DE. The victory improved the freshman’s record to 3-1-0 from eight assignments. The colt, who was a $10,500 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, paid $25.10.
Later on the card in a $9,500 conditioned event, Motown Muscle romped to an easy victory for Team Baillargeon and set a new track record in the process.
The daughter of Muscle Mass-Bankers Jackpot watched Moms Apple Pie throw down early fractions of :28 and :58.1 before blowing by that foe and taking the field past the three-quarter pole in 1:28.2. Mario Baillargeon guided the filly home for the 1:57.2 score, and in doing so she shaved two-fifths of a second off Emmylou Who’s former record of 1:57.4 which she set on October 10, 2009.
Ben Baillargeon trains the homebred for Bet Max Stables Inc of Casco and Benenati Inc of Clinton Township, MI. It was her second victory in six tries, and the lion’s share of the purse boosted her earnings to $53,650.
Trainer Ben Baillargeon and driver Mario Baillargeon tacked on another Tuesday evening victory with Mork N Lindy (1:56.3) in Race 9 to bring their nightly win total to three.
As for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, they'll return to Georgian Downs next Tuesday for the rich final. Here's how they'll line up behind the gate:
$130,000 OSS Gold Series Final
1. Cool Victory
2. Ark Went In
3. Schoolhouse Rock
4. Its Payday Friday
5. Ozzy Ozzy
6. Sam Hayes
7. Murmur Hanover
8. Sparky Gypsy
9. Majestized
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Georgian Downs.