Mega Moves unleashed a major three-wide charge to be the only repeat winner in four $25,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots third-leg divisions for freshman pacing colts and geldings on Saturday, Aug. 16 at Kawartha Downs.
While floating out from post four, he got the benefit of breaks by two rivals to his inside and slid into the three-hole for Nick Boyd while Speaksoftlytome (Jonathan Drury) pushed forward to seize control at the quarter in :28. Mega Moves had a perfect opening to slide out second-over at the half in :57.4, and he raced in that position until swinging three-wide after three-quarters in 1:26.1.
He overshot the turn, drifting into the four-path, but the gelding straightened out and fired to the front at the top of the stretch and motored away to a 3-1/4-length victory in 1:54.3. Odds On Bullfrog (Doug Brown) dug in for second after a first-over trip, followed by Jasper Hill (Austin Sorrie). The winner paid $6.90.
Both of Mega Moves’ career wins have come in the Grassroots, and he is now two-for-four for trainer Tony Beaton with $27,900 in earnings. Beaton co-owns the gelded son of Dancin Lou-Megaball Hanover with David Mercer of Westmount, N.S., Domenic Chiaravalle of Hamilton, Ont., and Anvil And Lace Farm of Cynthiana, Ky.
Elmer Hanover ($29.90) broke his maiden with a 13-1 upset victory in the fastest Grassroots division, winning by two lengths in 1:53.2 for driver Tyler Jones and trainer Paul Reid. The Cattlewash-Edra Hanover gelding wired the field in his debut in the series for owner Rick Berks. Lous Game (Daryl Thiessen) finished second over Goin For Broke (Sorrie).
Windsun Tuxedo ($5) tallied his first Grassroots win and his third lifetime score as he took the first split by a neck in 1:53.4 with Brad Rae in the bike. The son of Betterthancheddar-Windsun Chanel is trained by Kristyna Rae, who co-owns the gelding with Brad and Devin Rae. Corona Seelster (Thiessen) got up for second over Lyons Firstbulldog (Sorrie).
Major Money ($4) romped in the second split for his second straight victory, stopping the clock in 1:54. Jason Ryan piloted the Cattlewash-Our Hot Majorette gelding for trainer Nick Gallucci and owner Millar Farms of Stouffville. He won by 3-3/4 lengths over Plankton Hanover (Sorrie) with Twin B Stanley (Damian MacLellan) third.
There were also a pair of $8,000 Prospect Series divisions of the third leg for rookie male pacers. Starbright Dancer ($5.10) took the first in 1:54.4, and Hurricane Express ($4) dominated the second in 1:57.2.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)