Favourites take $70,000 OSS at Woodbine Mohawk Park

MILTON, AUGUST 19, 2023 – Odds on favourites won all three $70,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold harness racing divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings tonight at Woodbine Mohawk Park with Funtime Bayama (Hes Watching), Chain Gang (Bettors Delight), and Mirage Hanover (Bettors Delight) emerging victorious.

Funtime Bayama started the night rolling to a gate-to-wire victory in race one with Sylvain Filion at the lines for the first time. Filion’s father Yves Filion bred and owns the gelding under his Bayama Farms banner. Yves drove him in his first two starts, finishing second on both occasions.

“The last two starts I raced him he showed to me that he could act like a super horse, and he proved it tonight,” said Yves. “He won like a champion, and raced like a champion, and that’s what he showed me a couple of weeks ago. He proved it tonight.”

Sylvain chose to drive Funtime Bayama over Do Better, who he’d guided to five straight wins to begin his career, including a pair of OSS wins, and a sweep of the Battle of Waterloo Elimination and Final.

“I was sure he was a good horse, but I didn’t know how good he was,” said Sylvain. “This time around I said maybe I should try him out and see for myself how good he is, and he showed me something else.”

Recently minted Hall of Famer Chris Christoforou picked up the drive on Do Better, and engineered a pocket trip for the gelding but Funtime Bayama showed another gear, pacing home in 26.4 to win by four lengths in a time of 1:52.

Do Better was bred by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, C S X Stables, and Al McIntosh Holdings, and is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc, Al McIntosh Holdings Inc, and Mardon Stables. Through just six career starts he has earned over $195,000.

Funtime Bayama has banked $64,730 this season, and paid $3.40 for the win.

In race three, the second OSS race of the night, Millar Farms homebred Chain Gang continued his impressive juvenile campaign for trainer Nick Gallucci.

James MacDonald positioned the colt in fourth out of the gate, as Doug McNair sent Cowboy Cargo to the front in a 27.3 first quarter.

MacDonald made his move in the backstretch and grabbed the lead by the half mile pole, setting fractions of 56.4 and 1:25.3 before stopping the clock in a final time of 1:52.1 and paying $3.10 for the win.

“He just has been developing into a really nice horse,” said MacDonald. “Nick was always really high on him, and I can see why. He has a big powerful gait, and he is a big strong horse.”

Chain Gang is undefeated in three career starts, with $95,816 on his card as he heads towards his Grand Circuit engagements at Woodbine Mohawk Park this fall.

“I am getting more excited every week,” said Gallucci. “I was really happy to see him stretch out a little this week. His last two starts in (1:52). We have a couple big tests coming up so hopefully he continues to improve.”

Tony Alagna trainee Cowboy Cargo finished second, two lengths behind Chain Gang. The Jimmy Freight colt is owned by One Point Six Racing Inc, and Peter Alagna.

The third and final OSS division in race nine was won by 1-2 favourite Mirage Hanover.

Leaving the gate, Total Stranger, a full brother to Tall Dark Stranger, was sent to the front by Yannick Gingras, and the stage was set for a battle between the sons of Bettors Delight.

McClure moved Mirage Hanover to the front in the backstretch, and Gingras kept his colt on McClure’s helmet the entire way around the far turn, as the pair led the field through fractions of 27.1, 56.1, and 1:25.1.

When the clock stopped at 1:52.2 Mirage Hanover was a length and a half in front of his rival, completing a nice bounce back from his third place finish in the Dream Maker on August 4.

“You can race him anyway you want,” said trainer Scott McEneny. “Last week he was a little sick, afterwards he scoped a little sick. He didn’t race bad, he just wasn’t kind of himself, but he seems back on track.”

Mirage Hanover has $109,110 on his card from five starts for owner Marvin Rounick.

Total Stranger was making his Canadian debut for owners Howard Taylor, Judith Taylor, Caviart Farms, and Chuck Pompey. The Nancy Takter trainee is still seeking his first win, with three second place finishes in four starts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Austin Stanton, for Ontario Racing