by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Toronto, ON — The third time was the charm for 2-year-old trotter, Zorgwijk Kingpin, who after placing second and third in two previous Ontario Sires Stakes C$130,000 Gold finals, made this one his own at Woodbine racetrack.

Randy Waples sent Bob McIntosh trainee, Text Me, to the lead off the wings, with Wayne Henry and Pointe To Pointe drafting in his wake.

New Image Media

Zorgwijk Kingpin defeated Text Me by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1, a new lifetime mark.

Zorgwijk Kingpin, sent off as the even-money favorite, played a waiting game in fourth, through fractions of :27.3, :58.0, and 1:27.1 for Trevor Ritchie, then came charging late in the stretch to nip Text Me by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1, a new lifetime mark.

A determined Text Me grabbed the place spot, while good late speed from Keystone Swagger (Sylvain Filion) secured third.

A flashy chrome-endowed chestnut, Zorgwijk Kingpin was a bargain $3,700 yearling purchase for Ronnie MacLean (who also trains), Scot Wood, Joseph Serratore, and Murray Neilson. The gelded son of Southwind Lustre has now earned in excess of $200,000 for his connections and boasts a record of four wins, three seconds, and a third in nine career starts.

The win positions Zorgwijk Kingpin as the likely favorite in next Saturday’s OSS Super Finals event for rookie colt and gelding trotters.