Dexter Dunn doubled when sliding off a pocket trip to victory with Tattoo Artist in the $225,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Super Final for two-year-old pacing colts on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Dashing to the front from post 7, Dunn had Tattoo Artist on the point past a :27 opening quarter but forfeited the lead to Sports Obsession past a :55.4 half. Denali Seelster progressed first over rounding the final turn but stalled passing three-quarters in 1:23.4. Through the stretch Sports Obsession drifted from the pylons, allowing Tattoo Artist to shoot through a seam and sprint to a 1:52 victory drawing away. Examiner Hanover snagged second from Sports Obsession while Ys Mathis—the 4-5 favourite—got shuffled to last and failed to kick strongly to the finish, settling for 10th.
“I’ve seen him race obviously being up here a little bit—he’s had a really good season,” Dunn said after the race. “Doc [Ian Moore] was confident enough with him. He said he’s very versatile and can get off the gate good. He did—he towed me out of there pretty quick and then we got a good seat. He really laid down great in the straight. He actually ducked out a little bit on me just before we straightened up. He really exploded up the inside there.”
Trained by Dr. Ian Moore for owners Frank Cannon and Let It Ride Stables Inc., Tattoo Artist collected his fifth victory from eight starts, earning $240,405. The son of Hes Watching paid $13.90 to win.