by Mark McKelvie, WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Rookie colts and geldings of both gaits were on display Thursday night (Oct. 13) in a quartet of Ontario Sired Autumn Series divisions at Mohawk Racetrack.

Each division, two for pacers and two for trotters, carried a purse of $12,160 with 14 horses competing in each category.

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Mach Deja Vu was a 1:55.3 winner for driver Chris Christoforou.

Mach Deja Vu broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion to win the first pacing division for driver Chris Christoforou and trainer Dany Fontaine.

The son of Mach Three blasted to the front and proceeded to post fractions of :28.1, :57.1 and 1:26.2. In the stretch, Mach Deja Vu extended his lead to about three lengths before crossing the wire in 1:55.3 for a two length score. Osborne Seelster grabbed second, while Tremendous Play was third.

Mach Deja Vu was winless in nine starts heading into the Autumn Series first leg. The Fontaine trainee’s maiden breaking score gives him $16,908 in earnings for owners Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc. The winner paid $9.40.

In the second division, Dreamfair B J crushed his rivals by six lengths in 1:54 for driver Billy Davis Jr. and trainer Pat Fletcher.

The son of Big Jim got away sixth before getting his cue from Davis to march his way up to within a length of the lead at the half in :57.2. Dreamfair B J edged away from his rivals on the far turn to pace by three-quarters in 1:26.

The Fletcher trainee finished off the victory with a solid :28 kicker. Bills Fellas crossed the wire second, while Brave World was third.

Dreamfair B J was coming into the Autumn Series off a fourth-place finish in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots championship on Sept. 24. He now has two wins in eight starts and earnings of $21,909 for owner John Lamers. Dreamfair B J paid $5.30.

On the trotting side, Scene A Magician was a blowout winner in the first division for driver Jack Moiseyev and trainer Jennifer Pinkerton.

The son of Daylon Magician got to the front just after the opening quarter and proceeded to crush his rivals with a six length victory in 1:57.4. Scene A Magician set fractions of :58.2 and 1:28.1 before trotting home in :29.3 for the win. Lmc Mass Gem finished second, while Noble Prize was third.

Scene A Magician entered Thursday’s contest with two wins in five starts. He now has three wins and $31,337 earned for owners Daylon Farms Ltd, Gordon Yeo and Pinkerton. He paid $6.30 to win.

Vesuvio Bi captured the second division for driver Mario Baillargeon and trainer Martin Lachance.

The son of Manofmanymissions led the field by the quarter in :29, but surrendered the lead in the second quarter to Charmbo Chrome. The new leader led the field through middle half fractions of :58.2 and 1:28.4.

Vesuvio Bi was angled from the two-hole at three-quarters and went on to trot by and score a maiden breaking victory by three lengths in 1:58.2. Charmbo Chrome held on for second, while Resita was third.

Vesuvio Bi was making just his second career start Thursday evening. His maiden breaking score gives him $6,931 earned in two starts for owners Lachance Racing Stable and Don Mogridge. The Lachance trainee paid $5.70 to win.

In order to be eligible to the Autumn Series, the Ontario sired 2-year-olds had to be non-winners of C$30,000 as of Sept. 30. The second round of the Autumn Series for rookie colts and geldings will be contested next Thursday (Oct. 20).

Live racing continues Friday night at Mohawk Racetrack. Post time is 7:30 p.m.