First lifetime victories were the order of the day on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Flamboro Downs in the opening leg of the Ontario-Sired Autumn Series for two- and three-year-old male trotters.

Nickel And Dime ($3.90) delivered as the public choice in the first $8,500 division. Matt Bax sent the son of Resolve-Parkhill Nocredit to the front from post three and the bay gelding powered his way to a lifetime-best 2:01.4 score to break his maiden. Wheelin N Stealin (George Ketros) was just over a length back of the leader with LMC Little Chips (Oat Hudon) rounding out the triactor ticket.

A homebred of Bax Stable of Campbellville and Marshall Bax of Hamilton, Ont., Nickel And Dime now sports a 1-1-0 record from nine tries with $13,955 in purses.

Also connecting for a maiden-breaking tally was Overend ($7.70) in the second division. Brett MacDonald had the 5-2 second choice in the pocket behind My Sweet MVP (J Harris) through a :30.1 opening quarter, then made a rush for the lead around the second turn but couldn't clear and had to angle back into the pocket. 

My Sweet MVP maintained to the top spot with a 1:00.4 half and 1:31.1 third station, but couldn't hold off Overend in the stretch. MacDonald angled Overend back out for the stretch drive and powered past for the 2:02 tally. My Sweet MVP was 1-3/4 lengths back of the leader with Road Promises (Mike Horner) a best of the rest third.

Nick Malcolm of Milton, Ont. bred and owns sophomore Overend (Kadabra-Ultimate Cameron). He's a nine-time starter with a 1-1-0 summary and $7,475 in the bank.

This edition of the Ontario Sires Autumn Series is for two- and three-year-old Ontario-sired male trotters that are non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight Sept. 30, 2024. The next leg takes place at Flamboro in one week's time, with the $20,000 (added) finale set for Flamboro on Oct. 26.

For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Flamboro, click the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.

(Standardbred Canada)