Rookie trotters battle in $95,000 Golds

The fourth Ontario Sires Stakes Gold leg for two-year-old trotters went as the public expected, with the harness racing favourites sweeping the four divisions at Grand River Raceway on Friday (Sep. 6).

Galen Erso (Green Manalishi S) kept his undefeated streak in the series alive in the first division for colts and geldings. Doug McNair hustled him to the lead in the second quarter, and the colt commanded the race from there, rolling home a length-and-a-half winner in 1:57.1 over Shutter Green (Bob McClure). Chicago Hall (James MacDonald) was third.

GALEN ERSO REPLAY

Galen Erso’s three career wins have all come in Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Golds. He was defeated in the Gold Mid-Season Final, in which he was second, and in his debut in the Tompkins-Geers. Gregg McNair trains the homebred colt, who has now earned $166,168 for Marcus Melander of New Egypt.

You Got It Kemp (Muscle Mass), who beat Galen Erso in the Mid-Season Final, won the second Gold split for males in 1:56.3. The gelding was stuck in the pocket on the final turn, but Sylvain Filion found him room at the top of the stretch, and the gelding got by pacesetter Lookatmegoamigo (Roy) for a three-quarter-length victory in 1:56.3. Lookatmegoamigo held on for place over Rising Interest (Tyler Borth).

YOU GOT IT KEMP REPLAY

You Got It Kemp is now three-for-four lifetime for trainer Daniel Lagace with $158,167 in earnings. Lagace co-owns the freshman with Brady and Brooke Lagace of Cambridge and Suojalampi Stable of Delray Beach.

Foxy Amee (Muscle Mass) took the first filly division over Th Monica. Foxy Amee, driven by Paul MacDonell, rebuffed the first-over Supergirl Molly (Trevor Henry) from the lead, then held off Th Monica (MacDonald) by a neck in deep stretch to score in 1:57.4. Supergirl Molly completed the ticket.

FOXY AMEE REPLAY

The win was Foxy Amee’s first in an OSS Gold. She has hit the exactor in all five career starts and has earned $122,575 for owners Chris and Michael Storms of Picton. MacDonell trains the filly.

Medley Seelster (Wheeling N Dealin, Doug McNair) took over at the quarter and led the second group of fillies the rest of the way, coming home a length-and-a-half winner over Lil Sweet (McNair) in 1:56.3. Sprite Seelster (Borth) was third.

MEDLEY SEELSTER REPLAY

Medley Seelster is three-for-nine in her rookie season with one previous win in an OSS Gold. The Blake Macintosh trainee has earned $141,010 for Glenn Dyke of Townsend.

Grand River Raceway will host its next card on Monday, Sep. 9.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink