by Mark McKelvie – WEG Communications

Toronto, ON — Thursday (Oct. 23) night was the 2-year-old boys turn for round one action of the Autumn Series at Woodbine Racetrack.

Three C$14,000 divisions for the 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings and four C$14,000 splits for the 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings were completed.

In order to be eligible to the Autumn Series, 2-year-olds must be Ontario sired and be non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of September 30, 2014.

In the opening division for the trotters, One Direction broke his maiden with a 1:58.3.

Trained and driven by Dustin Jones, One Direction got a two-hole trip and trotted by Numbers Game, who cut the mile, to score an easy 5-3/4 length victory.

Numbers Game held on for second, while In Secret finished third.

A son of Deweycheatumnhowe, One Direction is owned by Ernst Gerbaulet and has now $7,030 earned in five career starts.

He returned $6.30 to win.

Olympic Son went gate to wire to take the second division in 2:00.1.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Olympic Son and driver Trevor Henry charged off the gate to take the lead and never looked back to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Baudron. William Star finished third.

Trained by Paul Reid for owner Robert Key, Olympic Son has now won three of eight career starts for earnings of $37,604.

The clocking of 2:00.1 was a new lifetime best for the son of Majestic Son.

Olympic Son paid $2.90 to win.

In the third division, Namesmuscle prevailed in a win photograph over Muscles All Over.

Driven by Trevor Henry, Namesmuscle sat in the two-hole for most of the mile behind Muscles All Over.

In the stretch, Muscles All Over tried to kick away from his rivals at the top of the stretch, but Namesmucles grinded him down on the inside and got up to win by a nose in 1:59.1. Jayport All Muslce took the show spot.

A son of Muscle Mass, Namesmuscle is trained by Mike Brealey for owner John Patterson.

The leg one victory was a maiden breaking score in his seventh start for Namesmuscle and increased his career earnings to $19,726.

He paid $12.10 to win.

Thirty-three 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings were split into four first round divisions.

In the first division for the pacers, Sugarsam showed plenty of grit to hold off his rivals and pick up the victory in 1:54.2.

Touching down on the lead as the field entered the backstretch, Sugarsam would not relinquish the lead and dug in down the stretch to hold off His Boy Elroy by three-quarters of a length. J Js Delivery finished third.

Trained by Corey Johnson, Sugarsam has now won four of ten starts and lowered his lifetime mark by more than two seconds.

The son of Sportswriter is owned by Sotirios Anastasopoulos and has now earned $23,188 in his young career.

Sugarsam paid $3.90 to win.

Making only his second career start, Machnificent reached up late to take the second division in 1:55.4.

Trained and driven by Roger Mayotte, Machnificent was second-over on the final turn and was just able to get by a trio of his rivals on the outside to win by a half-length. Midnight Play finished second, Frankie Boy took the show spot and The Battle Begins finished fourth. All three horses were only beat a half-length.

A son of Mach Three, Machnificent had finished third in his career debut last week and was the most lightly raced horse in the field of eight.

The maiden breaking score pushes his career earnings to $7,725 for owners Just In Time Stable, The Fine Whine Stable and Big Als Stables Inc.

Machnificent paid $6.50 to win.

In the third division, Halton Hurricane did not disappoint as the 6-5 favorite winning in 1:56.2.

Driven by Jody Jamieson, Halton Hurricane got a two-hole trip behind Antar Phil, who made an early break at the eighth pole, but regrouped to pace on to the lead.

In the stretch, Halton Hurricane had to wait for the first-up challenger, Art Of Luck, to fade away, before finding clear sailing to pace by Antar Phil and win by a half-length. Art Of Luck held on to finish third.

Owned and trained by Robert Robinson, Halton Hurricane has now won twice in 11 starts career starts for earnings of over $20,869.

The son of Santanna Blue Chip lowered his lifetime mark by three seconds with the victory.

Halton Hurricane paid $4.40 to win.

Robert Hill lived up to his 1-5 billing in the fourth and final division.

Driven by James MacDonald, Robert Hill was second-over on the final turn and came off his cover to pace by his rivals and on to victory in 1:55.4.

Regal Sight made a late charge to finish second by a half-length, while Strong Profile finished third.

A son of Jeremes Jet, Robert Hill is trained by Tony Alagna for owner Thomas Hill.

The leg one score was the third win from 10 starts for the 2-year-old pacer and pushes his career earnings to $35,294.

He returned $2.70 to win.

The second leg for the 2-year-old boys will go next Thursday, October 30.

Autumn Series action continues Monday (Oct. 27) night with the second leg action for the 2-year-old fillies.

Post time each night of racing is 7:25 p.m.