Seven divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes were sprinkled throughout Tuesday’s 10-race card at Mohawk Racetrack, with three-year-old pacing colts and geldings sparring in the $18,000 events.
Mr Carrotts brushed to the lead in the backstretch and kept on trucking en route to posting a career-best clocking of 1:52.2 in the first division. Legion Of Boom rolled to the lead in :26.4 from Post 9 before being overtaken in the second quarter by Mr Carrotts and driver Phil Hudon. The gelding led through middle splits of :56 and 1:25 before sprinting home in :27.2 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Western Bayama. Third prize was earned by Legion Of Boom.
Murray Brethour trains the homebred son of Mach Three-Cueless for Mel Varcoe of Thornton, Ontario. It was the first win of the year in five tries and the second career tally for the winner of $31,580.
Windsong Lightning rallied from out of the clouds to win his $18,000 division for the tandem of driver James MacDonald and trainer Dave Menary. The son of Sportswriter-Milliondollarsmile watched Seaforth, The Shadow Knows and Star Cover take turns on the lead through panels of :26.1, :55.1 and 1:23.2 before he swept to the lead and cruised to a 1:51.3 victory. Star Cover held on for the runner-up spot, with Make Some Luck taking home the show dough.
Terry De Matteo, Mark Searles and 648885 Ontario Ltd share ownership on the three-time winner. The lion’s share of the loot lifted his lifetime earnings to $41,740.
Artful Way survived a first-over trip en route to posting a career-best clocking of 1:51.4 in his division. Randy Waples got away fifth with the gelding before asking him to come first-over on the way to the half. The son of Artistic Fella-Art Debut chipped away in uncovered fashion around the last turn before using a :27.2 kicker to win by a neck over race favourite Naturescape. Taking home third prize was Brother Randy.
The Bob McIntosh-trained homebred improved his 2015 record to 2-2-0 from four starts for Robert McIntosh Stables Inc of Windsor, Ontario. The youngster has banked $30,880 to date.
Maracasso found himself in the role of the spoiler in the fourth division thanks to his 21-1 upset for driver Jody Jamieson. The son of Lis Mara-Miss Picasso was treated to a ground-saving journey through fractions of :26.4, :55.1 and 1:23.2 before he commenced a rally in the lane. He used a :29-second closing quarter to haul down race favourite Mac Raider. Regal Sight was third.
The 1:53 victory was a maiden-breaking score for the gelding, who is owned by trainer John Williamson of Waterdown and Daniel Haist of Ridgeville, Ontario. The $9,000 payday bumped the sophomore’s cash stash to $18,910.
Mach Code used an explosive kick in deep stretch to perfections, and in doing so he engineered an 18-1 upset in his division for driver Doug McNair. The gelding was buried on the rail for most of the mile, but when room opened up in deep stretch the Jeff Thomson trainee stepped home in :28.1 to win in 1:52.2. He defeated Jeb and Major In Life.
Jeff and Lori Thomson of Chesley, Ontario bred and own the son of Mach Three-Early Dismissal, and together they’ve watched the homebred manufacture a 2-1-1 record from just six lifetime starts. He more than double his earnings with the winning effort.
Myhoneytellsall turned a second-over trip into a new lifetime mark thanks to his come-from-behind tally in 1:53 for driver Mario Baillargeon. The gelding got away seventh before tracking Charlottes Colony in the middle stages of the mile. The backfield came to life after Camvicted threw down panels of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.4, and the quickest feet belonged to Myhoneytellsall who uncorked a :27.2 closing quarter to win by one-quarter of a length over Charlottes Colony. Camvicted faded to finish third.
Rene Bourassa trains the son of Tell All-Terrors Song for M&S Racing Stable Inc of Rockwood, Ontario. The win improved the pacer’s 2015 record to 4-1-0 from nine trips postward. He’s potted more than $34,000 to date.
HP Bushido Dragjet erupted for a 28-1 upset in the final division for Team Baillargeon. The son of Jeremes Jet-Dragonosa came first-over on the way to the half, and he chipped away and eventually worked past Fighttothefinish, who supplied the field with fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:25.1. HP Bushido Dragjet dished out a :28.1 closing panel for driver Mario Baillargeon, and together they eked out a head decision over race favourite York Seelster in 1:53.3. Fighttothefinish was third.
Ben Baillargeon trains the colt for owner/breeder Claude Hamel of Ayers Cliff, Quebec. It was the second career win – and the first of the season – for the pacer who lifted his lifetime earnings to $17,565 with the score.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.