from the Ontario Sires Stakes

Campbellville, ON — Regal Son earned the top spot in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots point standings for 3-year-old pacing colts with his victory in the first of four $16,560 divisions on Tuesday night (Aug. 19) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Chattanooga Jim was the early leader in the first division, hitting the first marker in :26.2. Littlebitaclass took over the lead just past that point and was at the half in :56. Moving up to challenge was favorite Regal Babe who was neck and neck with the leader at the 1:25.1 three-quarters.

Regal Babe, a son of Stonebridge Regal, took over through the lane for Doug McNair and held on to win in 1:52.3 over Shadowbriand and Recharge. An ultra consistent performer, Regal Babe has three wins and nine seconds in 13 starts this year for trainer Gregg McNair and owner/breeder Robert Chapple.

With leading point earner Regal Son, another Stonebridge Regal son, not competing after three Grassroots victories, Regal Babe earns the top spot for point earnings in this group.

Titus Seelster was first to the top in the second split, hitting the quarter in :26.1 for Sylvain Filion, the half in :54.4 and three-quarters in 1:22.2. He had several lengths on his rivals heading down the stretch and could not be caught, hitting the wire first in 1:51. Atomic Million AM closed well to take second while Waterside Light earned show.

It was the second straight Grassroots victory for Titus Seelster, a son of Artistic Fella owned by Brian Paquet and Bayama Farms and trained by Stephane Larocque.

The Optimist led the way to the :26.2 first quarter in the third division for Paul MacDonell. Some Major Beach was alongside at the :54.2 half and that pair raced as a team towards the third panel but were passed by a three wide Shadow Place who hit the three-quarters in 1:23 and opened up down the lane to win comfortably in 1:51.1 for catch driver Jonathan Drury. Waco Bruiser got up for second while The Optimist held for third.

Shadow Place, a son of Shadow Play, was recording his third win in eight starts this year for trainer Richard Moreau and owners Henri Hebert Jr., Les Ecuries Bruce and 9174 7998 Quebec Inc.

The fourth and final test had Hope For Hopelands leading the group through a :26.1 opener but Cluster Hanover quickly took over and he was then passed by VIP Bayama before the :54.4 half. VIP Bayama hit the three-quarters in 1:23.1 but was hauled down in the late going by Hall Bro and Luc Ouellette who hit the wire first in 1:52.1. In the blanket finish it was OK Galahad second and Andreios Kardia third.

Owned by breeder Ferme Brodeur, Hall Bro was notching his sixth win in 13 trips behind the starting gate this year.

This group will meet up again at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sept. 7. To view the complete results from Tuesday night’s card at Mohawk, please click this link.