A five-pack of OSS Grassroots divisions featuring two-year-old trotting fillies helped fill Tuesday’s 11-race card at Mohawk Racetrack, and handicappers had a chance to feast on some nice-priced winners.
Second Sister, who was sent off at 4-1, took the opening division in 2:00.3 for Team McNair. The daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe-Sister Sammy rallied off cover to win her pari-mutuel debut for driver Doug McNair and trainer Gregg McNair. Winem was second best, with third prize going to Judy The Beauty.
Jarold Hawks of Jeddo, Michigan owns the youngster, who was a $32,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale.
Champagne Taste clicked at odds of 6-1 in the second division for driver Jack Moiseyev, who watched the filly survive a first-over journey en route to posting a 2:01.3 triumph. The daughter of Striking Sahbra-CR Mimosa took over the lead before the three-quarter pole and held on to win by three-quarters of a length over Mass Rail. Third prize went to Its A Hotty.
Richard Johnson trains the trotting lass for owner Vito Cucci of Belmar, New Jersey. The first-time starter was purchased for $24,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Summers Jewel appeared to be on her way to a second-place finish, but race leader Were Just Sayin made a break in deep stretch and that allowed Summers Jewel to sail by for the score in 2:00.3. Were Just Saying was second-placed-third while Sylvia Van Hall was third-placed-second in the $18,000 affair.
Mario Baillargeon guided the homebred daughter of Angus Hall-Winters Jewel to the win for owner/trainer Ben Baillargeon of Rockwood, Ontario.
Meganou stick-handled through traffic in deep stretch and posted a maiden-breaking score in 2:02 for driver Mike Saftic. Sent off at odds of 6-1 in the $18,000 assignment, Meganou trotted home in :28.4 to post the win over Superbowl Sunshine and Flexy Millie.
Daniel Martin trains the daughter of Kadabra-Blue Sea Vita for owner Jean Picard of Orford, Quebec. She’s put together a 1-0-2 record in her first three starts while banking $9,720 along the way.
Bistrobistro Taj survived a first-over trip in her pari-mutuel debut en route to posting a 3-1 mild upset in her $18,000 division. Doug McNair guided the Rick Zeron trainee to the 2:00.3 tally over Stay In Touch, who was third-placed-second, and Tymal Illbethere, who was fourth-placed-third. Railee Priti was second, but was then placed tenth for going inside three consecutive pylons in the first turn.
The daughter of Pilgrims Taj-Freda Hall is owned by 9214 6447 Quebec Inc of Montreal, Quebec.
In addition to his pair of OSS triumphs, Doug McNair tacked on three more wins to bring his nightly win total to five.
The O'Brien Award finalist from last season also clicked with Regal Babe (1:52.4), Late Night (1:55.4) and Sword Ofthe Spirit (1:51).
The resident of Guelph, Ontario has racked up 102 wins already this season while potting more than $1.5 million along the way. He's just 29 wins away from joining the 2,000-win club.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.