The 2022 stakes season has been quite kind to veteran trainer John Bax and to driver James MacDonald, and on Tuesday night they put on quite a show in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions at
Resolve To Win captured the first $22,600 OSS Grassroots division of the evening for Bax and MacDonald.
The two-year-old son of Resolve-Sensual Hall rallied to a three-length triumph over Floyd The Freak in a sharp clocking of 1:57.4. Mr Experience took home the show dough in the nine-horse affair.
Sent off at odds of 10-1, the colt scored the victory after finishing third in his debut effort against Grassroots foes for Bax Stable, Brad Grant, Gaelic Stable and Don Allensen. The lion’s share of the purse lifted his earnings to $13,964.
Darbyshire turned a two-hole trip into a 1:58.1 score in the second division for the tandem of trainer Bax and driver MacDonald.
MacDonald mapped out the sweet trip for Darbyshire, who was able to chase early fractions of :29.2, :59.2 and 1:28.4 before using a :29.1 closing kick to win by a length over Lava Field. Take On Me set most of the speed before fading to finish third.
Sent off as the 2-1 second choice in the wagering, the son of Muscle Mass-Danish Darby posted his second win in as many tries for the partnership of Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, Goin To The Show Stable and Happy Trails Stable. The youngster has now banked $22,400 to date.
Hasty Bid gave MacDonald yet another Grassroots score, and this one is sure to garner some brownie points from the colt’s trainer, Paige Austin, who celebrated her first training victory in the process.
Austin, who shares ownership on the rookie with 1000063663 Ontario Inc, watched the son of My MVP-Sunshinenlollipops, sit fourth in the first half of the mile while Lookslikeadream laid down fractions of :29.2 and 1:00.3. Hasty Bid came first over going into the final turn, and he pressed the leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:30.3 before using a :27.3 closing quarter to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Fox Valley Ontario in 1:58.2. Lookslikeadream faded late and wound up third.
After finishing third in his debut versus OSS Grassrooters at Clinton Raceway on July 3, Hasty Bid nabbed the maiden-breaking win in impressive fashion.
Nothingbutadreamer overcame early interference to win the fourth division for the white-hot James MacDonald and trainer Harry Poulton.
The son of Muscle Mass-Myimpossibledream got away third before being bothered by a breaking RFLs Jasper. Despite the bump in the road, Nothingbutadreamer maintained his poise and sat a pocket trip behind Hamilton De Vie through first-half fractions of :30 and 1:00. Nothingbutadreamer came first-over in the third quarter and showed a short lead while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:29.4. He then stormed home in :28.3 to win by 4-3./4 lengths over Busting With Pride in 1:58.2. Finishing third was Like Chaos.
Thestable Nothinbutadremr of
Tuscan Prince was treated to a three-hole ride throughout the fifth and final division, and when he shook loose in the lane he had more than enough trot to handle the competition.
Bob McClure ducked his charge down to the rail early and watched race favourite Dark Hammock Road lay down fractions of :28.3, :59 and 1:29.1. McClure then started up the engine on Tuscan Prince, who kicked home in :28.4 to win by four lengths over New Rules. Tempo-setting
Luc Blais trains the son of Kadabra-Tosca for Determination of Montreal, Que. The youngster now owns a 1-1-0 record from three assignments. He’s managed to stash away $16,650 in earnings.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results –