Rideau Carleton Raceway fans were treated to six outstanding battles by the two-year-old pacing colts on Thursday evening as the province’s best Grassroots and Gold Series competitors brought their 'A' game to the Ottawa oval.

The Grassroots colts kicked things off in Race 3 and Sporty Mercedes set the tone for the evening, ringing up a :27.4 quarter, :57 half and 1:25.1 three-quarters and then battling favourite Vegas Dream all the way to the wire to score a neck victory in 1:55.1. Shadows Pro was well back in third. The win was Sporty Mercedes’ first in three Grassroots appearances.

“He raced tough,” said Guelph, ON resident McNair of Sporty Mercedes. “They liked him early and he got a little pouty, so they gelded him. He seems to be much better.”

McNair piloted the Sportswriter son to the win for trainer Blake MacIntosh of Waterdown, ON and his partners Dan and Kim Sergeant of Straffordville, ON. In six starts Sporty Mercedes now has two wins and one second for earnings of $14,840.

The win was one of two for McNair, who also piloted the winner of the first Gold Series division. Starting from Post 5 the reinsman hustled Nvestment Bluechip out to an early lead and then allowed Voracity to take control before the :28 quarter. Inspiration View went to the front before the :57.2 half and the colts continued to sit one, two, three en route to the 1:25.2 three-quarters.

Randy Waples elected to tip Voracity to the outside to challenge Inspiration View, so McNair opted for the passing lane and the colts stormed under the wire in a crowd. After careful review Nvestment Bluechip was determined to have a scant nose in front of Voracity, and Matchplay Hanover was three-quarters of a length back in third.

“He was still pacing halfway down the lane, but so was Randy’s horse. I didn’t think I could catch him,” said McNair. “I still didn’t think I won after the race.”

The win was McNair’s first appearance in Nvestment Bluechip’s race bike and the driver — last year’s leader in the Ontario Sires Stakes program — was impressed with the Dave Menary trainee.

“He dug in tough to win,” said the driver. “He’s a smart colt, very relaxed.”

The win was Nvestment Bluechip’s second in Gold Series action. The Shadow Play son also captured his division in the July 11 season opener at Mohawk Racetrack for owners Menary Racing Inc. of Rockton, ON, Michael Guerriero of Puslinch, ON, Denis Breton of Welland, ON and Thomas Kyron of Toronto, ON.

The other $105,000 Gold division at Rideau Carleton on Thursday went to Semi Automatic, who also arrived in the winner’s circle by way of the passing lane. Starting from Post 2 driver James MacDonald landed the colt on the rail in second behind pacesetter Heavymetal Hanover and followed that colt through fractions of :26.4, :56.2 and 1:24.2 before bursting through in the stretch and accelerating away to a two length victory in 1:54. Heavymetal Hanover settled for second and Stonebridge Beach was third.

“The horse was amazing tonight,” said Guelph, ON resident MacDonald. “I got a good helmet to follow and the horse did the rest.”

Puslinch resident Tony O’Sullivan conditions Semi Automatic for his partners Let It Ride Stables Inc. of Boca Raton, FL and J And T Silva Stables LLC of Long Beach, NY. In five starts the Badlands Hanover gelding now has two wins, one second and one third, with his other victory coming in elimination action for the Battle Of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway on July 27. The 1:54 score was a track record-setting performance for rookie pacing geldings. It erased the former mark of 1:55.1 set by Haul Away.

The quickest mile of the four Grassroots divisions was clocked by Blue Zombie, whose 1:54.2 score salvaged an otherwise unprofitable evening for driver Tim Tetrick and trainer Casie Coleman. Coleman asked the New Jersey-based Tetrick to make the trip north to steer two Gold Series colts and Blue Zombie, but both Betting Line and A Bettors Risk made breaks in their respective Gold divisions.

Blue Zombie however, dominated the fourth Grassroots split, firing straight to the front from Post 2 and laying down fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:25.3 on his way to a five and one-half length win in 1:54.2. Kokanee Seelster and Azul Pool rounded out the top three.

“He gets better every start, so we are really happy with him every week right now,” said Coleman, adding that the colt is being prepped for the Metro Pace eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on August 29.

The Cambridge, ON resident shares ownership of Blue Zombie with her partners in the West Wins Stable of Cambridge and Adriano Sorella of Milton, ON. In four starts the Bettors Delight gelding now has two wins and one third, all in Grassroots action.

The other Grassroots trophies went home with St Lads Moonwalk and Secrecy.

St Lads Moonwalk sprinted down the stretch to a one-half length victory in 1:56 in the second division, besting fan favourite Print Media and Bingo Ingo. The Mach Three son was piloted to his first lifetime win by Campbellville, ON resident Mike Saftic for owner-trainer Jack Darling of Cambridge.

Secrecy and driver Sylvain Filion of Milton took command heading for the three-quarter pole and never glanced back, cruising home one and one-quarter length winners over Continual Hanover and Day Trade Hanover. The Mach Three gelding’s first lifetime win was clocked in 1:55.3. Eric Adams conditions Secrecy for Millar Farms of Newmarket, ON.

The Gold Series competitors now have a six and one-half week break in their Ontario Sires Stakes schedule, while the Grassroots colts make their fourth start at Georgian Downs on August 23.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Rideau Carleton Raceway this Sunday on OSS Family Fun Night, featuring four Grassroots divisions for the two-year-old trotting fillies and a host of fun-filled activities for families.

(OSS)

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Rideau Carleton Raceway.