by Sandra Snyder

Campbellville, ON —- Gregg McNair gave his bid for a second Johnston Cup title a sizeable boost at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday (June 27).

Last year’s leading Ontario Sires Stakes trainer harnessed four 2-year-old pacing colts on Thursday night and went home with two Grassroots trophies, one second and one third.

The victories were scored by sons of first crop sire Mister Big; Crafty Master, who paced around the Mohawk oval in 1:54.2 in the second C$15,000 division, and On The Big Swing, whose 1:55.4 mile earned him the win in the fourth split. Robert Hamather owns Crafty Master, while On The Big Swing is owned by Suheil Ashkar.

McNair’s son Doug piloted both winners and was also aboard for Zorro’s runner-up finish in the first division and Three Of Clubs’ third-place effort in the fifth.

The trainer was slated to start five colts, but Regal Babe was scratched out of the third division due to sickness.

Paul MacDonell also scored the Grassroots driving double on Thursday, guiding Western Fella to the fastest mile of the six divisions, a 1:54 clocking in race four, and Reasonable Force to a 1:54.4 result in race eight.

The 2-year-old pacing colts make their second Grassroots start on July 6 at Georgian Downs.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Mohawk Racetrack on Friday evening with Gold Series action for the 2-year-old pacing colts and 3-year-old trotting colts.

For complete results go to this link.

Girls! Girls! Girls! at Mohawk Monday

Fillies are the featured entertainment at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday (July 1) as the Campbellville oval welcomes the 2- and 3-year-old pacing fillies for Ontario Sires Stakes action and hosts two Miss Versatility divisions for their older trotting peers.

In the three C$70,000 Gold Series divisions for the novice pacing fillies, more than half of the starters were sired by stallions whose first crop of racehorses are making their debut this summer. First year sires Artistic Fella, Astronomical, Dali, Major In Art, Mister Big and Shadow Play are responsible for 15 of the 25 starters in races one, six and eight.

The sophomore fillies will compete in races three, seven and 10, with race seven featuring a match-up between early season winners Jan It Jackson and BJ’s Sweetheart, and race 10 seeing last year’s Super Final winner Love Canal taking on Gold leg winner Pan Luis Obispo.

Luc Ouellette will steer Jan It Jackson from post four and Yannick Gingras will pilot BJ’s Sweetheart from post seven. Regular reinsman Doug McNair will be aboard Love Canal at post one and Randy Waples will handle Pan Luis Obispo from post four.

Fleshing out the female focused program are two legs of the Miss Versatility for older trotting mares in races two and 11.

Mohawk Racetrack’s Canada Day program gets underway at 7:25 p.m.

For complete entries go to this link.