Two-year-old trotting colts and geldings made the trek to Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening for a four-pack of OSS Gold Series eliminations, and as expected there were a few surprises.
Many of the longshot players hit the jackpot in the first $40,000 when Filthy Paddy erupted for a 30-1 upset for driver Jody Jamieson and trainer Rob MacKenzie, Jr.
The homebred son of Striking Sahbra-Ai Suma was in no hurry in the early going, but The Manipulator was. He zipped through fractions of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:30 before coming to a walk. Jamieson, who had Filthy Paddy tracking cover around the final turn, pulled the trigger and used a :29-second closing quarter to win by three-quarters of a length over Toocool Forschool in 2:00. Schoolhouse Rock took home third prize.
MacKenzie of Rockwood shares ownership on the youngster with Kathleen Donnelly of Etobicoke, ON, and together they’ve watched the maiden-breaking colt put $21,200 on his card in his first two starts.
Randy Waples brushed to the lead in the backstretch with Ark Went In in the second elimination, and the Bernie Noren-trained colt went on to post a winning effort in 1:58.4.
The son of Ken Warkentin-Katarita, who made a break in his debut effort before rallying to finish second against OSS Grassrooters at Clinton Raceway on July 8, watched Majestized and Jack Moiseyev supply early fractions of :29.2 and :59.3 before forging to the top. Ark Went In tripped the teletimer at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.3 before using a :29.1 final frame to fend off the late-rushing favourite, Secret Ingredient, by a neck. Mario Oneeighthree was a distant third.
Courant AB of Halmstad, SWD owns the freshman, who was purchased for $13,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale. He’s banked $26,000 to date.
An impressive-looking backstretch brush move helped Kinetic King cruise to an impressive victory in the third elimination. The homebred son of Ken Warkentin circled from seventh to first as the field passed the mid-way point in 1:00.1, and he opened up an enormous lead around the final turn. He was all by himself at the three-quarter pole in 1:29, and he was a wrapped up winner by 3-1/4 lengths over Any Given Monday in 1:59.1. Grabbing the show dough was Pedroia.
Ted Nadhazi bred, owns and trains the first-time starter, who is the first foal of a top filly he campaigned in the OSS during the 2007-2008 seasons, Matriarch (1:55.4 - $175,077).
Murmur Hanover went coast-to-coast in the final elimination, winning an impressive time of 1:58 for Team Baillargeon.
The son of Majestic Son-Mrs Ronerail chopped out fractions of :27.4, :59.1 and 1:28.4 for driver Mario Baillargeon before using a :29.1 closing quarter to rack up the maiden-breaking decision. Sparky Gypsy came first over and held on for the runner-up award, while Dewer Kash tagged along to finish third.
Ben Baillargeon trains the colt, who was a $70,000 purchase from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, for R Berthiaume Inc of Pointe-Aux-Trembles, QC. The rookie is out of a full-sister to Dr Ronerail (1:52.1 - $768,725).
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.