Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings were out in full force Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack, as the Campbellville, Ontario oval hosted a six-pack of $18,000 divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes.
O’Brien Award finalist Dont Rush was a popular winner in the opening division for driver Chris Christoforou, who got up in the closing strides for a 1:56.3 score. The Dustin Jones pupil tracked cover every step of the way while Call Me Richard, Grandprix Seelster and Ja El Storm took turns on the lead through panels of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:27.3. Christoforou showed his colt open road in the lane before using a :28-second closing quarter to win by a neck over Ontheroad De Vie. Call Me Richard was a bang up third.
The homebred son of Infinitif-Color Me Pretty, who is owned by Dustin Jones Stables Inc and Greg Judson, put together a 4-3-1 record from 11 starts last season while banking close to $300,000 along the way. The 2015 debut for the colt was an impressive one, and it might be the last time you see him at the Grassroots level of the OSS.
Kadabrasnewrecruit played the role of the spoiler in the second division thanks to his 1:56.2 triumph over race favourite, Muscle Mack. Kadabrasnewrecruit followed cover most of the way for driver Randy Waples, who fed the gelding racetrack in the lane and he responded with a :28.1 closing panel. It was good enough to earn him the win over Muscle Mack by a half-length margin. Third prize went to Molon Lave.
The son of Kadabra-Keystone Alberta now boasts a 1-1-0 record in his first two starts of the season for Robert McIntosh Stables Inc of Windsor, Ontario. The three-time winner has banked $35,750 to date.
Infiniti AS was a popular winner in his division for driver Rick Zeron, who guided the lightly-raced youngster to an eye-catching score in 1:55. The colt got away fourth before marching to the lead in the second quarter. He produced middle splits of :58.2 and 1:27.3 before rocketing home in :27.2 to win by 8-1/2 lengths over Pilgrims Joy. Taking home the show dough was Boondock.
Anette Lorentzon trains the son of Infinitif-Yankee Jeanie for owner/breeder ACL Stuteri AB of Paris, Kentucky. A two-time winner as a rookie, Infiniti AS boosted his bankroll to $41,686 with the win.
Eternal Quest produced a maiden-breaking triumph in the fourth division for the tandem of driver Sylvain Filion and trainer Chad Milner. The gelding got away second before marching to the lead in the backstretch. After throwing down middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:26 the son of Pilgrims Taj-Eternal Spirit kicked home in :29.2 to win by 3-3/4 lengths over New Muscle AS in 1:55.2. Gronk rallied from far back to finish third.
Murray Ferguson, Jr. of Sutton West, Ontario owns the sophomore, who owns a career record of 1-2-0 from five starts. The $9,000 payday boosted his cash stash to $17,120.
Muscle Up The Goal worked his way to the top and cruised to an easy win in his assignment for Hall of Fame reinsman, Steve Condren. The colt parked to the quarter pole in :28.2 before working his way to the lead. He proceeded to chop out middle fractions of :58.3 and 1:27.3 before romping home in :28.4 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over One Direction in 1:56.2. Thoughtful Leader took home third prize.
Rob Fellows trains the son of Muscle Mass-Tags Goal for Synerco Ventures Inc of Toronto, Ontario. The victory was the first of the year – and the third to date – for the speedy performer. He’s banked more than $98,000 in his career.
Top Dollar went from the outhouse to the penthouse in the final division thanks to a patient steer by driver James MacDonald. The gelding was last at the three-quarter pole, but first to the line in 1:57.3 thanks to his :28.2 closing kick. Race favourite Seeking Steven was a length in arrears, with third money going to Federal Deputy.
The son of Deweycheatumnhowe-Moms Millionaire is owned by trainer Ann Karin Larsen along with Steve Organ, Stig Westrum and Tor Jan Larsen. The partners watched the trotter improve this year’s record to 2-0-2 from seven starts with the win. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his earnings to $33,860.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.