Early in the 2022 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) season, Anthony Beaton finds himself third in the Johnston Cup standings with three more hopefuls entered in the OSS Grassroots opener for rookie pacing colts on Thursday (July 7) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

A resident of Waterdown, Ont., Beaton has harnessed 10 OSS starters this season, for a record of 1-4-0.

“So far, so good. Our young stock has been good to us the last few years,” said Beaton. “We hope to continue it because the OSS is awesome. You don’t have to go very far to make money. There’s not a lot of shipping, and it’s nice to be close to home.”

Beaton’s trio of freshman pacers are highlighted by Troubles A Brewin, the 3-1 morning line favourite in the first of five Grassroots divisions. James MacDonald is driving from post 8.

The Betterthancheddar colt is out of Dream Away mare Respectednbeloved, who made over $200,000 in her racing career. She has produced 11 starters, three of whom have eclipsed the $100,000 mark, including Burning Midnight, winner of $323,256.

“I think he fits the Grassroots very well, and I’m very hopeful for him,” said Beaton. “It’s unfortunate he had to draw outside, but hey it’s a starting spot, right?”

Beaton co-owns Troubles A Brewin with David Mercer of Westmount, N.S.

“I think maybe by the end of the year he could be a Gold colt,” said Beaton. “I didn’t think he was quite there yet, so I didn’t want to throw him to the wolves. I’d like him to develop into a nice racehorse for me and my partner so we can have something to race and maybe make a little bit of profit to re-invest more into the OSS.”

Beaton’s other starters, a pair of Lyonssomehwere progeny, have been listed at 8-1 on the morning line.

MacDonald will also drive Lyons Somewhereboy in Race 7, the fourth Grassroots division.

“He’s got a great attitude,” said Beaton. “He’s been touching his knees more than you’d like, so we’ve been tinkering with shoeing. But we’re hopeful we have him where we want him for tomorrow night.”

Lyons Excel goes in the final race of the evening, with Trevor Henry driving from the pylon post.

“He’s been a very good colt all along,” said Beaton. “No knocks on him at all, great gaited, and great attitude. He wants to kind of impress you if possible. Hopefully Trevor can get him in the hunt where we can be in striking distance down the lane.”

Something else of note from Thursday’s card is there are six colts from All Bets Off first crop entered. The freshman sire has 10 OSS starters this season, including recent Gold winner Big Big Plans, who stormed to victory impressively on July 1 in 1:54.2.

Morning line has Tignanello as the second favourite at 7-2 in Race 7. He won a qualifier on June 25 at Woodbine Mohawk Park in 1:58.1. Benoit Baillargeon trains for owner Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc, (Hudson, Que.). Sylvain Filion will be in the bike.

To view Thursday's harness racing entries, click the following link: Thursday Entries - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Ontario Sires Stakes)