Milton, ON — Griff won the fourth race Tuesday night (Sept. 5) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, a C$103,100 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold division for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Griff came flying to rally from behind and crossed the wire first in a time of 1:54.4. New Image Media photo.

Bob McClure kept Griff (Muscle Mass) off the pace set by leader Elegant Resolve (Resolve) out of post eight through fractions of :27.2, :57.1, and 1:26, and sat at the back of the field. Myretirementdream (IL Sogno Dream) driven by Jody Jamieson challenged James MacDonald and Elegant Resolve at the three-quarter pole to move to the lead.

Then in deep stretch, Griff came flying to rally from behind and crossed the wire first in a time of 1:54.4. The second-place finisher was  Myretirementdream and Elegant Resolve was third.

“He raced really good, and he dropped a lot of time. I was pretty impressed with him tonight,” said McClure.

For his first OSS Gold win, Griff collected C$51,550 in earnings for co-owners Jeffrey and Lori Thomson, Murray Brethour, and Kyle Northover.

“He felt great the whole way. The big problem he was having was to stay trotting early,” said McClure. “Murray’s done a good job changing a few things, and it’s a big confidence booster for him.”

Griff’s upset Gold win paid $25.50.

The second division of the night for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings was race seven on the card and Willowtime (Lookslikeachpndale), driven by McClure, came away with the win by crossing the wire at 1:54.2. Favorite Soar Higher (Resolve), driven by MacDonald, finished in second while What About Elmo (IL Sogno Dream) piloted by Tyler Jones rounded out the podium.

Willowtime has collected C$103,550 in OSS earnings in his last two starts for co-owners Mark Etsell, Terry Devos, and Peter Porter. The colt paid $8.10 for his Gold win.