Windsong Jack wore down divisional leader Mach Pride in the final strides to win the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for two-year-old pacing colts on Saturday at Flamboro Downs.
Windsong Jack, who was a runner-up to Mach Pride in the OSS Gold Series elimination and final at Rideau Carleton Raceway in July, defeated his rival by just a quarter of a length in the win photo. Slight Touch recovered from an early miscue to show.
Driver Anthony MacDonald fired favourite Mach Pride off the gate from post four and out-sprinted Slight Touch and Chris Christoforou to the top during a :27.1 opening quarter as that colt made a break in stride and dropped back into fourth. Meanwhile, Windsong Jack and driver Scott Zeron inherited the pocket spot and followed the leader through a rated half in :57.1.
Mach Pride picked up the pace during the third panel while F Twenty Two and Paul MacDonell launched a first over bid as they neared the 1:26.3 third quarter station. But as the colts spun into the stretch, Windsong Jack pulled the pocket and kicked home in :28.4 to edge out the favourite in 1:55.3.
David Menary trains the son of Santanna Blue Chip and Milliondollarsmile for Ontario owners Larry Menary of Cheltenham, Kenneth Ewen of Georgetown, Denis Breton of Welland and Geoffrey Lyons Mound of Burford.
Windsong Jack improved his record to 3-2-0 in six career starts while nearly doubling his bankroll to $134,000.
The winner paid $5.10 as the 3-2 second choice.
With only five freshman pacing colts entered in their third Gold Series event, eliminations were not necessary.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.