from the Ontario Sires Stakes

Innisfil, ON — Hall of Fame driver John Campbell made his first appearance at Georgian Downs on Tuesday evening (July 21), making the trip up from his New Jersey home to partner 2-year-old trotting colt Tony Soprano in Ontario Sires Stakes action.

“I got to Grand River last year, and this is my first trip to Georgian Downs,” said Campbell, who is considered one of the leading reinsmen of all time. “Very impressed with the plant, it’s really a nice paddock and a nice grandstand and everything, just very impressed with that and glad to be here for the first time to see it.”

Making the trip even more enjoyable was its successful outcome. Lining up at post two in the second $53,900 Gold division, Campbell guided Tony Soprano to a 1:57.3 victory. The pair bested fan favorite Adored By Masses by a quarter-length, with Im A Mate well back in third.

Hall of Famer Bob McIntosh trains Tony Soprano for his partners Mardon Stables, Paradox Farm Inc. and Dave Boyle and it was at his request that Campbell made the trip to Georgian Downs.

“He had told me early in the spring that he had a trotting colt that he really liked and that he’d keep me posted on his progress,” explained Campbell. “Once he got qualified he asked me to come up last week and we both were happy with the horse, he did all he could in the situation, so I think he’s off to a good start.”

In the Gold Series season opener at Mohawk Racetrack on July 13, Campbell and Tony Soprano tried to squeeze up the rail in the stretch and found themselves short of room before the wire. The colt finished third, a half-length behind the leaders in the 1:57.4 mile.

“I didn’t get him in a very good spot,” Campbell admitted. “I had him in a bad spot, drove him bad, but the colt was good.”

On Tuesday Campbell and Tony Soprano sat fourth through the early going, then started to press pacesetter and fan favorite Adored By Masses going by the three-quarter pole. The colts battled all the way to the wire, with Tony Soprano digging in through the final strides for the win.

“He went a really professional race, very happy with him. I got him in a better spot this week,” said Campbell with a chuckle.

The son of Kadabra and $1.2 million winner Windsong Soprano was a $90,000 purchase by McIntosh and his partners at last fall’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Tuesday’s victory put his earnings, after two races, at $36,778.

Campbell also piloted Nofear Blue Chip in the season opener, and was back behind the gelding in the first division on Tuesday for trainer Paul Reid and owner Norah Parks. Although he did not guide Nofear Blue Chip to the winner’s circle, finishing third behind Deweylovernleaver and Will Take Charge, Campbell was pleased with the progress the youngster had made since July 13.

“Paul didn’t get to work him as much last week as he would have liked going into the race and he really improved off of that race in Mohawk, because he trotted more here than he did in Mohawk,” noted the reinsman. “So I was very happy, and he was stronger his last quarter than he was last week.”

Deweylovernleaver circled out from the backfield turning for home and sprinted down the stretch to a head victory in 1:57.4 for driver Trevor Henry, trainer Chris Beaver and his partners Synerco Ventures Inc. and Leo Fleming. The Deweycheatumnhowe-Solovesick son was a $12,000 purchase from the Harrisburg yearling sale, and finished fourth, just behind Tony Soprano, in the season opener.

The final division was captured by Unitaliano Bi and trainer-driver Dustin Jones, who went gate-to-wire in 1:58.3. Pukka and Mass Balance finished 4-1/4 lengths back in second and third.

“It would be nice to be able to race him out of a hole, but that’s the way he wants to race, so it’s better than fighting with him,” said Jones, ruefully.

“He actually trained great all winter. I thought he was a top colt all winter, but then as we got closer to race we were having a hard time to control him. He wouldn’t sit in a hole, he’d get mad. If you put anything on him to hold him, he’d get mad and he’d fight you. And he’s such an intelligent horse in the barn; he’s like a little kitten in the barn.”

Jones shares ownership of the stubborn youngster — who made an early break and finished fifth in the season opener — with Noblock Racing Stable and William Jones. The trio acquired the Manofmanymissions-Nevis Bi son from the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale for $20,000.

The 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings make their third Gold Series start at Mohawk Racetrack on Aug. 7, while their Grassroots counterparts journey to Georgian Downs on Aug. 4.