Warrawee Xalt nabs first OSS victory

Warrawee Xalt (Royalty For Life) made another stride in his sophomore harness racing season with a second straight victory and his first in the Ontario Sires Stakes in the first Grassroots division for sophomore trotting males on Tuesday (Sep. 13) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

He stepped forward from the start to lead to the quarter in :27.2. Tymal Tiggs (Louis-Philippe Roy) threatened to pass on the turn but broke stride and dropped to last, leaving Warrawee Xalt and Trevor Henry with an uncontested lead.

Warrawee Xalt cruised to the half in :57.1 but had company from Armstead Cole (Doug McNair) going to three-quarters in 1:25.3, leading to stretch duel. Armstead Cole treaded water, and Warrawee Xalt completed the job in 1:53.1.

Armstead Cole was second by a length. Renegade Gypsy (James MacDonald) made late gains but finished third.

WARRAWEE XALT REPLAY

Warrawee Xalt is now two-for-six lifetime. Connections called it quits on his rookie season after one start and brought him back in August this year. He has dropped five seconds since his 2022 debut and has earned $31,840. Jeff Gillis of Fergus trains the gelding and co-owns him with Ellen Ott of Buffalo.

Resolute Bay (Resolve) won his third straight race in the second split for MacDonald. The Harry Poulton trainee cut the mile after climbing to the front in the first quarter and finished strongly to score in a career-best 1:53.4.

RESOLUTE BAY REPLAY

Lenis (Chris Christoforou) closed for place. Kipper Whipr Snipr (Roy) was third.

Resolute Bay, owned by The Stable’s Resolute Bay group, has won six times and earned $73,749 in lifetime 23 tries.

The top three-year-old quote trotters will battle in the Grassroots semi-finals on Friday (Sep. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The next program at the track features three divisions of the Champlain Stakes – two for the two-year-old open trot division and one for fillies. First post is set for 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink