by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — A trio of first-time starters all emerged victorious in this season’s first set of Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for 2-year-old colt trotters on Monday night (July 12) at Mohawk Racetrack.

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Buckhams Bay was a 1:57.3 winner, the fastest of the three OSS Gold eliminations.

Buckhams Bay turned in a flawless performance in the opening C$40,000 elimination for Hall of Fame horseman Jacques Hebert and scored easily in 1:57.3. The son of Ken Warkentin-Merles Image left alertly from post two and yielded the front to Max Money in the backstretch before tipping wide off the last turn to win going away.

John Smith is the owner, trainer and breeder of the colt who is a half brother to millionaire Mc Cooeye along with stakes winners Potato Race, Magoo and Merles Pearl. Buckhams Bay returned a generous $10.70 for the win.

The second split was an action-packed affair with Blazin Benny leading in the very late stages before making an untimely break in stride just before the finish. It was Holy Kadabra (Kadabra-Holyrood) who rallied to get up in time for the win for driver Rick Zeron in 1:59.1. Blazin Benny was second under the wire but was subsequently placed third behind race favorite Attorney Hanover for a lapped-on break at the finish. The winner returned $21.60 for the upset.

In the final split, Plato used a pylon-skimming trip to score narrowly in 1:58 for driver Trevor Ritchie. The gelded son of Andover Image-Pom Derable survived an inquiry and was left up as the winner in front of Whatabouttom with Imperial Count rounding out the top three.

Plato, who kicked back $8.50 to win, is co-owned by trainer Gregory Johnson along with George Johnson.

To view complete reaction from Monday night’s eliminations, click here.

The C$130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold final will go postward next Monday night (July 19) from Mohawk. Here is a look at the entire field in post position order: 1. Blazin Benny; 2. Attorney Hanover; 3. Delcrest Julian; 4. Whatabout Tom; 5. Calipari; 6. Imperial Count; 7. Holy Kadabra; 8. Buckhams Bay; 9. Tymal Colussus; 10. Plato.