Quantum Starship turned in the fastest clocking of three $40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters Thursday night

at Mohawk Racetrack.

With Trevor Ritchie doing the driving, the son of Striking Sahbra-Merry Yankee grabbed control of the race early from post eight and then cruised to a gate-to-wire score at odds of 18-1. Sombrero Hall closed for second at long odds with Magic Fruit landing the show spot despite being parked the mile. Quantum Starship was overlooked by the wagering public and returned $38.50 on the nose.

It was just the second career start for Quantum Starship who finished third in his debut at Flamboro Downs in a division of the Bud Light Stakes even though he made a break in the first quarter. Harald Lunde does the training for the Quantum Farms Corp. of St Paul, Minnesota.

The highly-regarded Ja El Express remained perfect in two career starts with a sharp off-the-pace victory in the opening elimination for driver Jody Jamieson in 1:59.1. The son of Kadabra - Keystone Bluejay turned back Pointe To Pointe with Great Emancipation rounding out the top three. Ja El Express returned a popular $2.70 for the win.

The colt is trained by Jeff Gillis who co-owns along with Ken Henwood of Mississauga, Ontario. He was just a $17,000 yearling purchase at last Fall’s Canadian Open Yearling Sale.

In the final elimination, Reach Higher turned in a dominant first-over victory for driver Steve Condren in 1:59.1. The son of Striking Sahbra-Raising The Bar easily turned back a closing War King Ton with Tymal Tyme grabbing the show spot.

Reach Higher is the younger half-brother to the stakes-winning filly Raising Rachel (1:55 - $373,583) and was a hefty $140,000 yearling purchase at last season’s Forest City Sale. He is now one-for-two in his young career for trainer John Kopas and owners Estate of George Hempt Trust of Pennsylvania and the KR Stable, Doug Millard and LLK Stable of Ontario.

The top three finishers from tonight’s eliminations and Duke Maccallum, the lone fourth-place finisher who was drawn by lot, will advance to next Thursday’s final. Here’s how they’ll line up on the starting gate:

$130,000 OSS Gold Series Final
1. Tymal Tyme
2. Magic Fruit
3. Sombrero Hall
4. Great Emancipator
5. War King Ton
6. Pointe To Pointe
7. Quantum Starship
8. Ja El Express
9. Duke Maccallum
10. Reach Higher

(WEG)

To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click here.