It was a tough day for favourites, who were shut out, in the trio of OSS Gold Series eliminations for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings at Kawartha Downs on Tuesday.
The top three finishers from each of Tuesday's splits earned a berth for next week's $120,000 Gold Series Final at the Fraserville, ON oval.
Mopey Corey was a wire-to-wire winner in the first $40,000 tilt. The son of Southwind Lustre used a :28.3 final quarter to seal the deal for the MacDonalds – owner/driver Anthony and trainer James.
The colt, who was sent off at odds of 7-1, romped away to win by four lengths over runner-up Matador Bo (Trevor Ritchie). Race favourite Panz Kafka (Steve Condren) rounded out the top three.
Magic Carpet Ride overcame a Post 8 start to take the second elimination in a time of 1:59.4 for trainer/driver Dewayne Minor.
The son of Angus Hall, who was a $90,000 purchase at last year's Lexington Select Yearling Sale, did most of the tempo-setting in the $40,000 affair en route to the three-length score over Rosesbowls MVP (Steve Condren). Odds-on favourite Dugan Creek (Lyle MacArthur) was third.
Cowboyland Aalborg of Highland Park, Michigan owns the trotter, who has a number of stakes-winning siblings including Make It Happen (1:54.4 - $547,353).
Senator Hall front-stepped his way to a 1:59 victory in the third elimination for the Ackermans – trainer Doug and driver D.R. It was the first lifetime start for the son of Angus Hall.
The homebred, who is owned by Doug Ackerman Stables Inc. of Warren, MI, is a half-brother to the multiple stakes winner Coventry (1:56.1 - $641,049).
The colt powered away to win by an eight-length margin over Winning Mister (Mike Saftic), who made a late break and settled for second as the odds-on favourite. Mapleson (Trevor Ritchie) closed from out of the clouds to finish third.
Kawartha Downs will roll out the red carpet for the Gold Series finalists next Tuesday. Here's how they'll line up on the starting gate for the final:
$120,000 OSS Gold Series Final
1. Mopey Corey
2. Senator Hall
3. Panz Kafka
4. Magic Carpet Ride
5. Winning Mister
6. Mapleson
7. Matador Bo
8. Rosesbowls MVP
9. Dugan Creek
To view Tuesday's results, click here.