Although it came later in the day, driver Randy Waples and The Big Macher gave trainer Bob McIntosh a birthday present in the form of an amazing career milestone
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The Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots win with The Big Macher at Grand River Raceway pushed McIntosh over the $80 million mark in career earnings - making McIntosh the first trainer in harness racing history to attain such a feat.
To put McIntosh's career earnings into perspective, the next closest trainer is Bill Robinson at just over $53 million.
Bob McIntosh will be inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame one week from today, Thursday, August 19, at the Mississauga Convention Centre.
The victory was not just a monumental one for McIntosh, as the win pushed Waples over the $90-million mark in career purse earnings.