It was a rookie heavy program Thursday evening at Mohawk Racetrack as OSS Grassrooters battled in three divisions and pacing fillies sparred in round two of the Whenuwishuponastar Series.
Many A Man used a strong stretch rally for driver Randy Waples en route to capturing the first $18,000 OSS Grassroots division for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
The son of Manofmanymissions-Armbro Sylvie got away sixth and remained sixth through the first-half fractions of :29.1 and :59.4. Waples had his charge on the move going to the half, and they advanced to third on the outside at the three-quarter pole in 1:29.1. Many A Man used a :29.1 closing quarter to haul down race favourite Rosberg by a half-length margin. Zorgwijk Rocket came on with sharp speed late to finish third.
Bob McIntosh trains the homebred for his Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, C S X Stables and Dave Boyle. It was the first win in four assignments for the colt who is a sibling to the likes of Dr Cal (1:54.1 - $388,596) and Bernies Babe (1:57.2 - $165,289).
“He trained down like a nice colt,” said McIntosh, “he was just a victim of bad luck in his first starts.”
Warrawee Shipshape was a popular winner in the second division thanks to his gate-to-wire score for trainer/driver Eddie Green. The son of Muscle Mass-U Can Cruise, who was sent off as the 9-5 favourite, led the group through panels of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:29.1 before cruising home in :30.3 to win by three lengths over longshot A J Ricochet. Third prize went to Critical Mass.
Purchased for $19,000 from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale, the youngster racked up his second win in four attempts for owner Michael Tobin of Port Dover, Ont. The freshman has banked $16,620 to date.
Themanofmydreams hauled home the hardware in the final division, and the triumph was his third in as many tries. Denis St. Pierre got away fourth with the colt, but he had him on the move in the backstretch. Themanofmydreams was parked past the half in :59.4, but he cleared before the final turn. He zipped past the three-quarter marker in 1:29.4 before using a :29.4 kicker to win by 2-3/4 lengths over My Big Kadillac. Taking home third prize was Magic Night.
“Tonight he give a little step at the gate, because he was too aggressive and I don’t want to leave with him,” said St. Pierre. “I want to take him off the gate, because last time he was too aggressive, not that crazy, but he show me he can become too hot and that’s why I try to take him off the gate.
“He got mad and he made a little step, but he come right back on the trot,” the Guelph, ON resident added. “He’s a good horse.”
The win was a new personal best for Themanofmydreams, who also captured his Grassroots divisions at Georgian Downs on July 9 and Grand River Raceway on July 20. The trio of victories have the son of Muscle Mass and Uneeda Dream sitting atop the freshman trotting colt standings with a perfect 150 points.
“I think he’s just a great colt,” said St. Pierre. “I know he’s a good Grassroots, he prove it tonight. I think he’s one of the best, and maybe next week he’ll get a chance in the Gold. Just tonight he was a bit hyper, but he’s just a great colt, he do everything right, he’s got a lot of speed. He can go more than what he showed tonight.”
Trainer Tiffanee Staley co-owns the son of Muscle Mass-Uneeda Dream with Jesse Legault, Alexandre Pilon and Christian Pilon. The $22,000 purchase from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale has now banked $27,000.
St. Pierre added that he and Staley would spend the next six days getting the colt to relax behind the starting gate before heading to Rideau Carleton Raceway on August 4, where both the Gold and Grassroots divisions will be contested.
“He likes to race, but he’s going to have to learn to calm down a little bit,” noted the driver. “We’re going to teach him.”
Two-year-old pacing fillies slugged it out in the second round of the Whenuwishuponastar Series, and in Thursday’s lone division it was Black Jack Pat turning a two-hole trip into a 1:56.2 win for trainer Dave Menary and driver Jody Jamieson.
The daughter of Well Said-Mrs Noce sat second behind Touching Thought, who sliced out splits of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:26.3. Black Jack Pat angled off the pylons in the lane and used a :29.3 closing quarter to win by a head over Touching Thought. Come What May came on strong to finish third.
Dave Van Camp of Hamilton, Ont. owns Black Jack Pat, who now owns a 1-1-0 record from three trips to the track. Purchased for $13,000 from last year’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, Black Jack Pat pushed her cash stash to $11,620 with the win.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.
(with files from OSS)