from the Ontario Sires Stakes

Campbellville, ON — Two-year-old pacing colts bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, the undefeated Reverend Hanover and the bargain yearling Drachan Hanover, captured both $94,500 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions Monday night (Sept. 29) at Mohawk.

The final division saw the lightly raced Reverend Hanover extend his unbeaten record to three with another impressive effort. In that split Mike Saftic and Seaforth were on top by the opening quarter in :26.1 but not for long as Chris Christoforou and Reverend Hanover quickly took over well before the :55.1 half. That colt opened up by the three-quarters in 1:23.4 and could not be caught down the stretch as he won handily in 1:51.4. Manny In Sports (Badlands Hanover) and Bob Ben And John (Sportswriter) were next across.

A son of Sportswriter-Razzle My Tazzle owned by West Wins Stables, Steve Calhoun, and Anthony Beaton, Reverend Hanover has yet to taste defeat in his young career. This was the second OSS Gold win for the $24,000 yearling purchase at Harrisburg and upped his earnings to $84,620 in just three starts.

His paddock mate from Hanover Shoe Farms, Drachan Hanover, took the other division which saw Fighttothefinish fight for the lead and get on top by the first quarter in :26.3. Steve Condren and Go Daddy Go took over well before the :54.3 half and were at the three-quarters in 1:23. Drachan Hanover, who’d been stalking first up, took over the lead as they headed down the stretch and was at the wire first in 1:51.4 for Rick Zeron. Moonwriter and Sportskeeper, both sons of Sportswriter, were next across.

A mere $4,500 yearling purchase at Harrisburg last fall, Drachan Hanover has now earned $86,122 from seven starts this year for owners Lloyd MacLean and Ken Rankin and trainer Marcel Barrieau. The colt is from Driven To Sin, a full sister to Driven To Win ($985,093).

Two $94,500 divisions for the rookie pacing fillies were also contested Monday night. Capela drove out quickly from post six in the second and quickest division but I Wonder Why had collared her by the opening quarter in :27.1. I Wonder Why continued to lead at the half in :55.4 and the three-quarters in 1:24.4.

In mid stretch James MacDonald found clearance from the pocket spot for Capela and that filly managed to haul down the pacesetter and trip the timer in 1:53.1. I Wonder Why (Ponder) was right there for second with Palette Tina (Allamerican Native) taking third.

It was the first lifetime victory for Capela who had two seconds and two thirds heading into Monday night’s contest. Trained by Tony O’Sullivan for owners Let It Ride Stable and RBH Ventures, the Sportswriter-Capelo Rose filly is a half-sister to Machapelo ($598,637) and Resistance Futile ($273,995).

The first division saw an upset when Sylvain Filion put Wrangler Magic on top and never looked back through splits of :26.4, :56.2, 1:25.2 and were home in 1:53.3. Aintsheasweetie took second while Solar Sister was third. The top three finishers are all daughters of Mach Three. Heavy favorite and leading point earner Sports Chic mounted a three wide rally in the final turn but tired and finished seventh.

It was the second lifetime win in seven tries for Wrangler Magic (Mach Three-JA El Shamrock), owned by breeder Dr. Maurice Stewart along with Tom Kyron, Brian Paquet and Bayama Farms.

These were the final regular season Gold events for both divisions. The top performers will return for the Super Finals on Oct. 11 back at the Campbellville oval. Results for Monday night’s program may be viewed through this link.