Two fillies who were a combined 0-for-11 on the season captured their respective OSS Gold Series divisions – each worth over $95,000 - Monday evening at Grand River Raceway.
Future Headlines turned a two-hole trip into a 1:54.1 score in the opening division. James MacDonald was able to shadow a pacesetting Fade through fractions of :27.3, :56.2 and 1:25.2 before angling out and sprinting home in :28.2 en route to posting the win by 1-1/4 lengths over Fade. Yaris Bayama was third.
“It worked out really good,” said driver James MacDonald. “I didn’t know how the race would set up, you never really know, sometimes you think everyone’s going to leave and no one does, and sometimes you think no one is going to leave and everyone does. So I was really happy with the trip I could get and she responded perfectly.
“She just had to use her speed for really an eighth of a mile, so when she came out she went by them, and she did it very easy,” added the Guelph, ON resident.
Trainer Colin Johnson co-owns the daughter of Sportswriter-Tomorrowpan with Thomas Kyron, David Heffering and BY The Beach Stable. The victory ended an 0-for-6 start to the season for the three-time winner who pushed her lifetime earnings to $177,530 with the win.
Action Majesty, who was 0-for-5 to start the year, was a front-stepping winner in her division for driver Doug McNair. The daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Action Grin rolled the group through fractions of :27.2, :57.3 and 1:25.3 before rolling home in :28.2 to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Soiree Seelster. Third prize went to Aint Three OK.
“She is handy on a small track, that made my job a lot easier,” said McNair. “She’s always had quick speed, I usually use it late on the big track, but that’s tough to do on a half.
“She’s been racing against the best fillies in North America, and racing good against them, so hopefully she keeps it up as the year goes on,” added McNair.
The Gregg McNair trainee won for the fifth time in her career. Kenneth Sommer of Sheffield, OH bred and owns the career winner of $203,642.
(With quotes from OSS)
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.