by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — The big guns delivered impressively in Monday night’s (October 8) pair of C$55,156 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for 2-year-old colt and gelding pacers at Mohawk Racetrack.

Keystone Horatio in 1:51 and Deuce Seelster in 1:53 were both heavily favored in their respective splits and both turned in flawless performances.

Keystone Horatio established an all-time OSS record for the division with his clocking for driver Randy Waples. The son of Rustler Hanover made a quarter-pole move to the front and despite a torrid half of :54.4, was able to hold all his rivals at bay in record time. Lennon Blue Chip finished a strong second with The Mohegan Pan finishing third.

“You want to go into these things trying to go as slow as possible, but it’s the way things set up,” said driver Randy Waples. “He’s been a beautiful colt since day one. He used to be a bit scared of the starting gate, but he has no problem getting off the gate now. He’s been a complete natural from the very beginning. You can do whatever you want with him, you can leave or you can take him off the gate.”

Keystone Horatio now has five wins in 10 starts this season for owner-breeder George Hempt of Camp Hill, Pa., and earnings of $321,146.

Deuce Seelster, who had been off for three weeks coming into Monday night, scored a hard-fought first-over win in his elimination for driver Paul MacDonell. The Western Maverick colt sat fourth off the hot first half of :55.3 before making his move in the third quarter. After muscling his way to the front, he easily held off Dougs Fame and Believeinbruiser.

“He was very good tonight considering I haven’t done much with him,” said trainer Darren McCall. “He’s had some time off, and he’s only trained three times coming into tonight. He’s a pretty classy horse, and classy horses can get it done even when they aren’t 100 percent. He can quickly change gears, and then he’s gone. We try and keep him fresh, sound and healthy. Nothing worries him, even after a rough trip in the Metro he still attacked his grain.

“He has just OSS races left and then we’ll shut him down for the year,” added McCall. “He’ll be staked up to more next year.”

Deuce Seelster improved his record to seven wins in nine starts this season for owner Katherine Bardis of Sacramento, Calif., and boosted his earnings to $322,252.

The C$130,000 OSS Gold Final will be contested next Monday night (October 15) at Woodbine Racetrack. Fans are reminded that racing shifts to Woodbine this coming Thursday evening for the Fall/Winter meet with first race post time at 7:40 p.m.

Here is a look at the field in post position order for next Monday’s Gold Final:

1. The Life Boat
2. Dougs Fame
3. Believeinbruiser
4. The Mohegan Pan
5. Go West Young Cam
6. Keystone Horatio
7. Deuce Seelster
8. Lennon Blue Chip
9. Lucky Man
10. Fun Of The Game
AE1. Romantic Thriller