Define The World may rank second in the OSS Gold Series point standings, but he's a trotter that hasn't taken a back seat to anyone in recent weeks.
The three-year-old gelded son of Duke Of York, who went 0-for-4 as a rookie, now boasts a 10-5-0 record in the first 17 starts of what has been a fantastic sophomore season.
The John Bax pupil took the first of two $40,000 OSS Gold Series eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday evening, and he did so with the greatest of ease for owner/breeder Al Libfeld of Toronto, ON. Paul MacDonell put the 1-5 favourite on the point at the mid-way point of the mile before driving away to win by more than four lengths in a time of 1:54.3.
Elegant Hall tagged along to finish second and Nureyev rounded out the top three in the six-horse affair. The $20,000 payday bumped Define The World's lifetime bankroll to $407,333.
Striking Rich was a maiden-breaking winner in the second elimination for the duo of trainer Mike Guitard and driver Trevor Ritchie. The gelded son of Striking Sahbra was sent off at odds of 12-1 in the six-horse affair.
Hot And Coldplay laid down the speed through panels of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:27 before feeling pressure from Windsong Espoir, who was plugged in the pocket spot throughout the mile, and Striking Rich, who had one rival beat at the three-quarter pole.
A :28.1 final frame was just enough for Striking Rich to pick up the win. He was a head better than Windsong Espoir, who had to settle for the runner-up award. Hot And Coldplay finished third.
Haryott Stables Inc. of Etobicoke, ON holds the papers on Striking Rich, who pushed his earnings to $32,820 with the win.
The top five finishers from each of Sunday's eliminations will return to Mohawk Racetrack next Sunday evening for the final. The post position draw is as follows:
$120,000 OSS Gold Series Final
1. Hot And Coldplay
2. Elegant Hall
3. Mccarron
4. Striking Rich
5. Nureyev
6. Windsong Espoir
7. Superfast Stuart
8. Mc Kelvie
9. Define The World
10. Southwind Rew
To view Sunday's results, click here.