by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — B Strike Three hit one out of the park on Friday night (August 10) in winning the C$130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for 2-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Mohawk Racetrack in 1:56.2.

The clocking was just one-fifth of a second off of the all-time OSS record of 1:56.1 established by Cincinnati Kid back in 2003.

New Image Media photo

Winning driver Rick Zeron accepts the OSS Gold trophy from WEG’s Bruce Murray.

In Friday night’s contest, driver Rick Zeron got the son of Striking Sahbra-B Floto away well from post one and the pair were sitting third past the first station in :27.4 which was put up by Keystone Titan who drew in off the also eligible list.

Zeron was not content with the pace in the second quarter and brought his charge to the outside and brushed quickly to command just before the half in :57.4. B Strike Three cruised by three-quarters in 1:26.4 while extending his advantage.

The compact colt continued to widen his margin in the stretch and hit the wire 5-1/4 lengths ahead of runner-up Pizzazzed with Hot And Coldplay rallying to pick up the show spot.

“He wasn’t really happy sitting third, and when I moved him he was flawless,” said driver Rick Zeron. “I could have slipped along a little more for a track record. I’m sure he’ll set a track record at some point. He’s a phenomenal colt. He waits for you to speak to him, and when you push the button he’s gone.”

B Strike Three now boasts three wins in just four career starts for trainer Raz MacKenzie and owner Ben Robards III of Shepherdsville, Ky. Friday night’s win vaulted his seasonal earnings up over the C$100,000 mark.