Ontario-based reinsman Brett MacDonald arrived at Oak Grove Racing, Gaming & Hotel on Monday, April 7 with just one drive on the 12-race card—and he made it count. MacDonald guided Saulsbrook Victor to victory in the $42,857 Open Pace and, in doing so, notched the 2,000th win of his driving career.
Leaving from Post 5 as the even-money favourite, MacDonald sent Saulsbrook Victor to the front following a :26.3 opening quarter, with Hezzz A Wise Sky (Marcus Miller) securing the pocket trip. From there, MacDonald controlled the tempo, reaching the half in :55.1 and three-quarters in 1:23, while turning aside a first-over challenge from Muskateer Hanover (Peter Wrenn). In the stretch, Saulsbrook Victor kicked clear to win in 1:50.4 by 2-1/2 lengths, with Hezzz A Wise Sky holding second. Tip Top Cat (Brandon Bates) rallied from near the back for third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Source Of Pride out of Atlanta Girl, Saulsbrook Victor now boasts 31 wins from 118 starts and career earnings of $681,979. The pacer has now recorded three consecutive victories stateside. He is trained by MacDonald’s father, Ron MacDonald, and owned by Brett MacDonald himself, who began his professional driving career at age 18. Saulsbrook Victor returned $4.14 to win.
MacDonald, a 28-year-old Freelton, Ont. resident, drove in his first pari-mutuel race in March of 2015, finishing third in a $3,300 contest at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Just two years later, he was recognized with the 2017 Future Star Award, and he hit the 1,000-win mark in 2021 during a career-best season. His latest milestone cements his status as one of the sport’s top young Canadian reinsmen.
Earlier on the card, Dale Yeah delivered an eye-catching rally off cover to win the $31,429 co-featured Open 2 Pace by three lengths in 1:52.1. Marvin Luna was in the bike for trainer Wayne Oke and owners Mulligan Stables and Calcutta Stable LLC. The four-year-old Tellitlikeitis–Mystical Victress gelding paid $6.88 to win.
Racing resumes at Oak Grove on Tuesday, April 8, with a 12-race card headlined by the $30,000 USD Open Trot, featured as Race 8. The first post is 1:45 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Oak Grove)