Steacy barn prominent in weekend OSS action

Ontario Sires Stakes Gold action rolls on this weekend with harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Red-hot trainer Shawn Steacy is looking for his third Gold win of the young season with pair of entrants in each of the two rookie pacing colts’ divisions on July 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and a three-year-trotter in the lone Gold division on July 10 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

“We have good horses right now, and we work hard,” said Steacy. “Put that together, and good horses will take you a long way at the end of the day.”

Steacy has already picked up a pair of Gold wins this season with sophomore pacing colt Macho Phil (Shanghai Phil), and sophomore pacing filly In The Mood (Sunshine Beach). In The Mood has a chance at another tonight in her second gold start of the season.

“Having quality horses means a lot,” said Steacy. “Macho Phil has been really good, and In The Mood capitalized on a nice opportunity.”

This weekend Ace Of Aces (Bettors Delight) goes in the first Gold division Saturday at Woodbine Mohawk Park, where morning line has tipped him as the 4-1 third choice in his pari-mutuel debut. James MacDonald will be in the race bike, just as he was for the qualifier on June 25 where he won in 1:56.1.

“He qualified really good,” said Steacy. “James, you know, he never empties the tank. I am hoping there is more in there. He spoke highly of him after the qualifier. But first go I don’t get too wrapped up, I hope we win of course, but its more about how he races.”

Aces Of Aces is out of Artisticlyinclined, who also produced $800,000 winner Physicallyinclined (Mach Three). Katherine Steacy (Lansdowne, Ont.), A K Malik Stable (Ottawa, Ont.), and Landmark 15 Racing Stable (Lansdowne, Ont.) share ownership of the colt.

Steacy’s second hopeful Saturday evening at the Campbellville oval is Better Be Bold (Betterthancheddar). The  colt is also making his first career start. He qualified twice and posted the same mark each time of 1:57.0, with identical 26.3 closing quarters.

“Better B Bold is a very quick footed horse with a nice mouth,” said Steacy. “He’s fast, and if his depth can carry him, he has a chance. I know he’s a nice colt, and just like all of them we don’t know how nice just yet.”

Mark Steacy (Lansdowne, Ont.), David Reid (Sydenham, Ont.), Landmark 15 Racing Stable (Lansdowne, Ont.) own the rookie pacer.

The final horse in Steacy’s barn looking for OSS Gold glory this weekend is sophomore trotting colt Century Invader (Resolve). Morning line has listed him as the 3-1 second choice in the $157,200 division at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Century Invader has made 10 starts in 2022, after going unraced last season. He was fourth in a Gold division on May 30 at Woodbine Mohawk Park and has two hitting the board finishes in conditioned action since.

He’s drawn post for Sunday night with Scott Young in the race bike for owners Landmark 14 (Lansdowne, Ont.), Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc. (Hudson, Que.), and David Reid (Sydenham, Ont.)

He will have to best fellow Resolve progeny, and 2021 OSS Star Duly Resolve who is looking for his second Gold win of the season.

For complete Woodbine Mohawk Park entries, click here.

For complete Rideau Carleton race entries, click here.

For current OSS Standings, click here.

From the Ontario Sire Stakes