Mohawk Racetrack has been a hotbed for Ontario Sires Stakes action this week, and Thursday’s card featured more of the same as three-year-old trotting colts and geldings sparred in six Grassroots divisions.
Jack Litten turned a two-hole trip into a maiden-breaking victory for Team McNair in the first split. The son of Muscle Mass-PJ Naomi stalked race favourite Massive Pockets through panels of :27.3, :58.3 and 1:28.1 before hauling down that foe in the closing strides. A J Destiny finished third. The time for the mile was 1:56.2.
Unraced as a rookie, Jack Litten has made five lifetime starts for owner Jarold Hawks of Jeddo, Michigan. The gelding has managed to stash away $13,752 to date.
Razor Ramone marched to the lead from Post 10 in his $18,000 assignment, and the son of Kadabra-Oaklea Rae kept on trucking en route to posting a maiden-breaking win of his own in 1:57. James MacDonald carved out panels of :28.2, :58 and 1:27.3 with the colt who used a :29.2 closing quarter to defeat Vimy Ridge Vulcan and Windsun Cobra.
Trainer Mark Etsell co-owns the homebred with partners Chuan Tan of Cambridge, and Rob Newton of Walkerton, Ontario. The trotter’s share of the loot lifted his bankroll to $17,420.
Tsunami Seelster survived a first-over trip to win the third division in a career-best clocking of 1:56.1 for the tandem of driver Paul MacDonell and trainer Ben Wallace. The son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Tuscan Sky watched and Crowningcrest take turns on the lead through panels of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:26.2 before working his way to the lead in the lane. The gelding kicked home in :29.4 to win by half a length over race favourite Warrawee Preferred. Third prize was earned by Totally Ripped.
It was the second win of the season for Tsunami Seelster, who is owned by Wallacestandardbreds Inc of Puslinch and Lorne Keller of Exeter, Ontario. The $9,000 payday lifted the trotter’s earnings to $17,900.
Ramas Last Son brushed to the front in the backstretch and fended off late pressure to win his Grassroots assignment in 1:56.3 for driver Steve Condren and trainer Ed Peconi, Jr. The son of Majestic Son-Smokin Rama watched Massacaia throw down a :28.2 opening quarter before taking matters into his own hands. Ramas Last Son cleared to the top in second quarter and whacked out middle splits of :57.4 and 1:27.1 before trotting a final frame in :29.2 to win by a half-length margin over Windsun Revenge. Kremlin rounded out the top three finishers.
Garry Patterson of Kirkfield, Ontario owns the six-time winner, who is 2-for-4 this season. He put more than $33,000 on his card last season and has already racked up more than $28,000 in earnings this year.
Aventure went to the front and didn’t look back in his division en route to notching his second OSS Grassroots victory of the season for trainer Bill Budd. Phil Hudon marched the son of Muscle Mass-Linas Lottery to immediate command and the gelding successfully sliced out splits of :27.3, :57.3 and 1:26.1 before storming home in :29.2 to win in 1:55.3. Race favourite Red Solo Cup came on to finish second, with Stonebridge Rich grabbing the show dough.
Orville Rursch of Taylor Ridge, Illinois owns the six-time winner who has put away more than $28,000 in earnings this season. To date, the trotter has banked $66,598.
Taurus Seelster and trainer Clint Guitard were both credited with their first-ever stakes victory thanks to a 1:57.3 triumph in the final division. James MacDonald worked out a beautiful, two-hole trip for the trotter behind race favourite Impressive Chief. The public’s top choice led through fractions of :28, :58 and 1:27.3 but he couldn’t stave off Taurus Seelster who inched by the tempo-setter in the final strides. Impressive Chief stayed for second, while Passed Dat Point was third.
Guitard shares ownership on the son of Federal Flex-Tia Seelster with Deanmar Sons Stable, Peter Miskolczi and Dalmet Farms Holdings Inc. The gelding, who went 0-for-8 last year, is already a three-time winner this season. His share of the loot lifted his cash stash to $20,744.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.