by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Extraordinaire and driver/trainer Wayne Henry captured the OSS Gold final for 2-year-old trotting fillies on Monday night (August 9) at Mohawk Racetrack. This marks the second consecutive OSS Gold final victory for the daughter of Duke Of York.

New Image Media photo

Extraordinaire was a 1:59.2 winner on Monday in the OSS Gold final.

Henry left the gate from post six and positioned Extraordinaire on the lead before the opening panel of :28.3. Enchantment and driver Keith Oliver then took over command from the outside as the field headed towards the half. Enchantment then made a costly break which allowed Extraordinaire to regain the lead as the field went by the half in 1:00.

Driver Rick Zeron and Peach Martini applied first over pressure on Extraordinaire as the field headed towards the three-quarter pole. Peach Martini was unable to surpass Extraordinaire as the talented trotters passed the three-quarter pole in 1:29.3.

Mary’s Out Crusin appeared to be the biggest threat to Extraordinaire as the field headed for home as she was enjoying a perfect two-hole trip for pilot Trevor Ritchie. Down the stretch, Extraordinaire fought off all rivals and was victorious in 1:59.2. Longshot My Whispering Eye came from off the pace for trainer/driver James MacDonald and was able to finish second while Mary’s Out Cruisin needed racing room and had to settle for third.

The victory marks Extraordinaire’s third win in four career starts, good for freshman earnings of C$153,200.

The race worked out perfectly according to Wayne Henry.

“I wanted the lead,” he commented in the winner’s circle. “She was great tonight. I think there is another stake race here at Mohawk in about 10 days so that will be her next start.”

Extraordinaire is owned by Henry and James Laverty. She paid $7.20 for the win.

Western Silk struts her stuff in Gold final

Casie Coleman trainees finished one-two in Monday night’s C$170,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for 3-year-old fillies over a track rated ‘good’ at Mohawk Racetrack.

In the end, it was Western Silk prevailing in a hard-fought battle over stablemate Bay Girl in 1:51.

New Image Media photo

Western Silk was a 1:51 winner for driver Mark MacDonald.

Tiz To Dream blasted off the wings from post nine for driver Doug McNair and was parked just past the first quarter in a rapid :26.1. At that point, Bay Girl shot out of third for driver Jody Jamieson and cleared just before the half in :55 seconds.

Western Silk was sitting patiently back in the fifth spot and watched Bay Girl continue her torrid front-end speed past the third marker in 1:23.3. Ice Ice Baby made a move to the outside on the final turn and provided Western Silk with brief cover until the field turned for home.

Western Silk’s driver Mark MacDonald sensed the cover had gone as far as it was going to go and he gave his filly the green light to go three wide. Despite getting a two length head start, Bay Girl could not hold off the furious late rally from Western Silk who powered by for the one length win. Bay Girl was a determined second with Tiz To Dream finishing well back in third. The winner returned $2.90 as the overwhelming top choice of the bettors.

“She (Western Silk) is just so fast that if she’s within earshot she’ll track them down,” said MacDonald. “Last time she raced, I had to move her three-wide much earlier than I wanted to and it cost her. This week, the trip was much cleaner and she showed what she can do. When she’s on top of her game, she’s as good as there is in North America. She is just a privilege to drive.”

The victory was the fifth in just seven starts this season for Western Silk who is owned by Coleman along with Tom Hill of Lancashire, Great Britain. She watched her seasonal bankroll swell to just over C$550,000 and more than C$870,000 lifetime.

— Greg Blanchard also contributed to this report