Trainer Mark Steacy and driver James MacDonald collected two wins in the three divisions of Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots action for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Georgian Downs on Tuesday, July 17.
Steacy and MacDonald won the $18,450 opening division with Rap Royalty, riding the pocket from post 7 to win narrowly in 2:03.2. The son of Kadabra sat third as Northern Tailwind, leaving from the rail, controlled the pace with fractions of :31, 1:01.3 and 1:32. Rounding the final turn, Rap Royalty edged out of the pocket and took a narrow lead into the stretch.
H A Houston, tracking from third and eight lengths from the lead at three-quarters, flew in the stretch in pursuit of Rap Royalty, finishing a neck away at the wire while Zorgwijk Tim, the 3-2 co-favourite with Rap Royalty, finished three lengths back in third.
Owned by Landmark 11 Racing Stable, Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc., Bertrand Gilhespy Stable and David Reid, Rap Royalty returned $5.00 to win in his pari-mutual debut.
MacDonald and Steacy teamed up to also win the $18,450 third division with Royale Elite, a son of Royalty For Life, in 2:02.
Sitting third at the quarter, Royale Elite stalked a :30.4 opening quarter set by Never Tell parking Justice For Narnia for the lead. Unchallenged through a 1:01.3 half, Never Tell faced minor first-over pressure from Royale Elite, who was a length and a half off the lead through three-quarters in 1:32 and remaining alongside the tempo setter to the top of the stretch.
Never Tell gave way midway through the lane as Justice For Narnia lost stride in the pocket. Royale Elite edged a length and a half in front of Never Tell approaching the wire while Judge Ken, the odds-on favourite, came from second over to finish third.
Paying $6.60 to win, Royale Elite was another debut winner for owner Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc.
A Royal Line took the other OSS division with a final-turn swoop to power, winning by four-and-three-quarter lengths in 2:02.4.
The Bob McIntosh-trained gelding by Royalty For Life sat fourth as In The Will trotted to the quarter in :30.3 with Scarlett Raider, who soon after broke, alongside. Following a 1:02.1 half, In The Will galloped on the lead, passing the lead to Sweet Lou Wittaker heading to the third quarter.
Pulling first over, A Royal Line quickly overtook the temporary leader while Y A Titan applied pressure alongside through a 1:32.2 clocking. A length in front into the stretch, A Royal Line expanded his margin over second-place finisher Y A Titan with Sweet Lou Wittaker chasing in third.
Competing for owners Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., Dave Boyle and Mardon Stables, A Royal Line won his first race in three starts this season, gathering $11,640 in earnings. He paid $8.10 to win.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Georgian Downs.