Trainer Gregg McNair and driver Doug McNair combined to take a double victory in the Thursday (June 20) evening Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots action at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Four $20,000 splits went to the gate on Thursday as the sophomore trotting fillies made their second trip to the track in the OSS Series.
Team McNair took the first division with Valentine Bluechip. Hope N Glory (Jody Jamieson) led throughout the mile as the field continued single file throughout. After hitting the marks in :28.2, :57.1, and 1:25.4, it wasn't until the final turn that any right lines were pulled. With the swiftest final quarter of :28, McNair and Valentine Bluechip came from fourth to win by a length in 1:54.3. Rhythm Of Life (James MacDonald) nabbed second and Hope N Glory completed the top three.
Valentine Bluechip (Muscle Mass - Shesa Sweetheart) is owned by Anthony Timmins for his second win in two starts this year. With one win in two starts as a freshman, the sophomore filly now owns three lifetime triumphs and $28,040 from four starts. She was heavily backed by the bettors and returned $2.20 for her win.
Radical Legacy teamed up with Doug and Gregg McNair for the third division in race six. The filly got away third off the car, but a miscue from the pocket-sitter after the :27.1 first quarter left her space to take over the second spot, following Mass Cara (Trevor Henry) through splits in :57.3 and 1:26.2. Biding her time until the stretch drive, Radical Legacy breezed to snag the win by a half length in a career best 1:55.3 over Mass Cara. Sue Anne (Louis-Philippe Roy) took the show spot.
Ross and Brent Holmes own the three-year-old Muscle Mass - Radical Janey filly for her first win of the year in five tries. In 12 career starts, Radical Legacy has returned a winner on six occasions, banking $48,635 in lifetime earnings. She returned $4.20 as the favourite.
Her Currency ($6.20) was driven to a 3-1/4 length score in 1:55 by Bob McClure for trainer Scott McEneny, who bred and co-owns the The Bank - Aris Lady filly with Aristi Varsakis.
Birthday Money ($10.30) took the final division off a pocket trip, winning by a half length in 1:55.1. Todd Ratchford was in the bike of the Resolve - Parkhill Nocredit filly for trainer Matthew Bax and breeder/owners Bax Stable and Marshall Bax.
To view Thursday's harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)