by Mark McKelvie, for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — Just a week away from the start of the Ontario Sires Stakes season, 3-year-old pacing colt Gerries Sport put his rivals on notice with a sizzling 1:49.2 performance Friday (May 20) night at Mohawk Racetrack.

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Gerries Sport paces in 1:49.2 on Friday (May 20) at Mohawk Racetrack in what was the first sub 1:50 mile of 2016 for his age, gait and gender.

The Richard Moreau trained colt competed in a non-winners of three races or C$75,000 lifetime event Friday (May 20) night, which featured three Pepsi North America Cup eligibles, Arsenic, Bettor Memories and Nocturnal Bluechip.

Gerries Sport entered Friday’s (May 20) race with two victories in three starts this season. His only defeat was a gritty fourth-place effort in The Diplomat Series final on Saturday (May 7).

Driven by Sylvain Filion, Gerries Sport left from post five and found a spot in third, while 4-year-old Asap Hanover blasted to the front just ahead of Arsenic. There was little movement early on, as Asap Hanover posted solid fractions of :26.3 and :54.2.

Approaching the three-quarter pole, Filion pulled on the right line to send Gerries Sport after the leader. The challenger pulled to within less than two lengths of the lead at the third marker, as Asap Hanover reached that station in 1:22.1.

In the stretch, Gerries Sport powered by Asap Hanover to grab clear command with an eighth of a mile to go. The Moreau trainee cruised home confidently in :26.4 to win by two lengths in 1:49.2.

Asap Hanover finished second, while Arsenic was third in his season debut. Pepsi North America Cup eligibles Bettor Memories and Nocturnal Bluechip finished fifth and seventh, respectively.

A son of Mach Three, Gerries Sport competed primarily in the OSS Grassroots as a 2-year-old, but appears more than ready to tackle the Gold level this season. Moreau trains the sophomore pacing colt for owner Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, Quebec.

Gerries Sport’s third win in four starts this season brings his career record to six wins in 16 starts for earnings of C$71,453. The son of Mach Three is now North America’s fastest 3-year-old of 2016. His clocking of 1:49.2 lowered the previous mark of 1:50.2 set by War N Munn in The Diplomat Final on Saturday (May 7) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Gerries Sport paid $5.90 to win.

Live racing continues Saturday (May 21) night at Mohawk Racetrack with a special post time of 6:45 p.m. in place for Fireworks and Family Fun Night.