Two-year-old Sportswriter sons Dancin Doug and Sports Legend headlined their Ontario Sires Stakes Gold opener with a pair of impressive maiden-breaking performances on Friday night (July 7) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Both freshmen were victorious in 1:52.2 miles, which is the fastest winning time so far this year by a two-year-old.

Driven by Doug McNair, Dancin Doug capitalized off a hot early fractions to win the first $97,200 division.

The Dougs secured a position in third-place while favourite Taste Of History (Louis-Philippe Roy) blazed through opening panels of :25.3 and :53.4 with Simple Kinda Man (James MacDonald) gapping in the pocket. As Taste Of History raced on to three-quarters in 1:22.3, McNair made his move with Dancin Doug, who began to cut into the pacesetter's lead then took over command down the lane to score in 1:52.2 by one length. Western Passage (Travis Cullen) and Lucky Sport (Jody Jamieson) rallied to finish second and third one length behind and complete a sire sweep of the triactor for Sportswriter.

"I was happy getting away third behind two decent looking colts," commented McNair in a post-race interview. "When I saw the fractions, I was kind of hoping I was sitting sixth or seventh at the time, but it worked out well.

"I moved him halfway around the last turn and he finished strong."

The Sportswriter-Dancewiththebest colt, who won his second lifetime start, was a $95,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select Sale by owners David Kryway of Amherstburg, Ont., and 1362313 Ontario Ltd. He is trained by Ron Adams.

Dancin Doug paid $8.90 to win as the 7-2 third wagering choice.

Sports Legend collared the popular pacesetter Goth Hanover, another son of Sportswriter, for the 27-1 upset in the second Gold division with Sylvain Filion driving for trainer Richard Moreau.

Fresh off a successful 1:53 career debut a week ago at Mohawk, Goth Hanover (Louis-Philippe Roy) led the field through panels of :27, :55.3 and 1:23.4, but down the stretch, Sports Legend emerged from the three-hole and got up in time to score the victory by a half-length in 1:52.2. Atomic Seelster (Trevor Henry) finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in third off a pocket trip.

"Last week, he raced pretty good, but he got bumpy late and he lost his momentum," said Filion of the gelding's career debut on June 30, a runner-up finish timed in 1:54.2. "If he didn't do that then he's way closer to the leader. But tonight, he was pacing way better and he raced big.

"I didn't think I was going to go by Casie [Coleman]'s colt, but just the last 100 feet I thought I had a good chance and my colt dug in."

Sports Legend returned $57.30 to his backers at the betting windows.

The Sportswriter-Island Terror son was purchased for $50,000 at the Harrisburg Sale as a yearling by owner Gestion J Y Blais Inc. of Montreal, Que.

The two-year-old pacing colts will return to Mohawk on July 20 for their next Gold leg.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Mohawk Racetrack.

For the official judges' report from Friday's card, click the following link: Judges' Report - Mohawk - July 7.