Three divisions of three-year-old pacing colts and geldings will kick off the 2016 Ontario Sires Stakes season Friday, May 27, on what promises to be a spectacular night of action at The Raceway at Western Fair District.

The three $70,000 Gold Series divisions are part of the track’s signature Molson Pace program, which features top flight racing, countless opportunities to win great prizes and a variety of ways to get close to the action.

“It’s a night where we want to make it a lot of fun and a great atmosphere on track, but the program itself, we want that to be the focal point and I think we’ve put another really strong card together,” said Raceway Manager Greg Blanchard of the event, which features total purses of over $550,000. “And the OSS Golds for the colts, it’s nice to really kick off the OSS season, especially in that division, on this night. These are great three-year-old colts that we’re going to get to watch.”

One colt hoping to claim a share of the spotlight on Friday is War N Munn, who has dominated the early season stakes action on the Woodbine Entertainment Group circuit. The Stonebridge Regal son — bred by Arva, ON resident Angie Stiller — will be looking to add a Gold Series trophy to a collection that already includes the The Count B, The Diplomat and Youthful Series hardware. Jonathan Drury of Guelph, ON will steer War N Munn from Post 2 in the second OSS division for trainer Carmen Auciello of Stouffville, ON and owner George Munniksma of Washington, NJ.

Among the colts hoping to keep War N Munn out of the Race 8 winner’s circle are Voracity, a two-time Gold Series winner at two, and Semi Automatic, who earned one Gold Series trophy last season. Voracity will start from Post 3 for trainer Tony Alagna of Manalapan, NJ and his partners Brad Grant of Milton, ON and John Fodera of Staten Island, NY. Semi Automatic will be looking for his top gear from Post 5 for trainer Tony O’Sullivan of Puslinch, ON and his partners Let It Ride Stables Inc. of Boca Raton, FL and J And T Silva Stables LLC of Long Beach, NY.

Fans can get in on the OSS winner’s circle celebrations by casting their ballot in the “Be A Winner” contest. Finalists will be drawn to represent each colt in the “Be A Winner” contest race and each finalist will receive an OSS t-shirt, ball cap and a $15 win-place-show wager on their chosen colt. Finalists will watch the contest race from the trackside winner’s circle area, and the winning colt’s finalist will join in the post-race victory celebrations, receiving their own trophy, an OSS jacket and shirt, winner’s circle photo and a $50 wagering voucher.

An up-close view of the action will also be offered by the ‘Wanna Drive’ program, which puts fans on the racetrack in a double-seated jog cart, and through the Molson Pace Infield Party contest, which will give a limited number of lucky fans an opportunity to watch the racing from the infield.

“We are really working with a lot of our close partners on this night — HPI, OLG, the Alliance tracks, Standardbred Canada, the Ontario Sires Stakes — and of course Molson, our title sponsor, it’s great to have that partnership continue,” noted Blanchard. “It’s nice because they all add a lot to the night. It enhances the whole experience.”

The first race of the evening will be called to the post at 7:05 p.m, but an earlier arrival will allow fans to take in all the trackside activities.

“I would say, if you want to sort of beat the crowd, anytime from 5:30 p.m. on,” said Blanchard, adding that there will be a guest horse greeting fans and a special giveaway for early arrivals.

The $70,000 Ontario Sires Stakes divisions will be featured in Races 5, 8 and 9 and the $150,000 Molson Invitational Pace will bring the evening to a close in Race 12.

(OSS)