McClure sweeps Tuesday OSS Golds

MILTON, September 5, 2023 – Griff (Muscle Mass) won the fourth harness racing contest tonight (Sep. 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a $103,100 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold division for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Bob McClure kept Griff off the pace set by leader Elegant Resolve (Resolve) out of post eight through fractions 27.2, 57.1, and 1:26, and sat at the back of the field.

Myretirementdream (IL Sogno Dream) driven by Jody Jamieson challenged James MacDonald and Elegant Resolve at the three-quarter pole to move to the lead.

Then in deep stretch, Griff came flying to rally from behind and cross the wire first in a time of 1:54.4.

“He raced really good, and he dropped a lot of time. I was pretty impressed with him tonight,” said McClure.

For his first OSS Gold win, Griff collected $51,550 in earnings for co-owners Jeffrey and Lori Thomson, Murray Brethour, and Kyle Northover.

Tonight’s win made for the colt’s biggest cheque and has made $60,050 over the course of his career.

“He felt great the whole way. The big problem he was having was to stay trotting early,” said McClure. “Murray’s done a good job changing a few things, and it’s a big confidence booster for him.”

Griff’s upset Gold win paid $25.50.

The second-place finish for Myretirementdream collected $23,713 for owner Eli Wagler and now has over $100,000 in OSS earnings this year.

Elegant Resolve, trained by Matthew Bax, finished in third and has collected $75,195 in OSS earnings this year for co-owners Bax Stable, Gaelic Stable, Don Allensen, and Happy Trails Stables.

The second division of the night for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings was race seven on the card, and Willowtime (Lookslikeachpndale) driven by McClure came away with the win crossing the wire at 1:54.2.

A successful night for McClure with back-to-back OSS wins on the night.

Willowtime has collected $103,550 in OSS earnings in his last two starts for co-owner Mark Etsell, Terry Devos, and Peter Porter.

The Lookslikeachpndale colt paid $8.10 for his Gold win.

Favourite Soar Higher (Resolve) driven by MacDonald finished in second while What About Elmo (IL Sogno Dream) piloted by Tyler Jones rounded out the podium.

For complete race results, click here.

by Kara Martin, for the Ontario Sires Stakes