from the Ontario Sires Stakes

Elora, ON — Four divisions of Ontario sired trotting talent arrived at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday evening (Aug. 10) and proceeded to tear up the half-mile oval’s record book.

The records started to fall in the very first $80,850 Gold Series division, as 3-year-old trotting colt Sass fought off a pair of challengers to hang on for a neck victory in 1:56.3, two-fifths of a second faster than the 1:57 trotting colt and gelding record set by Covert Operative last season. Last year’s division champion Tony Soprano pressed Sass through the final quarter, but could not get past the determined pacesetter and settled for second. Makers Mass closed well to be third.

“Although Sass was a nice 2-year-old, he needed to grow up, which he has,” said trainer Mark Steacy of the son of Kadabra and Armbro Equinox. “For a feminine-built stallion he has a big heart and is very determined. Every time he races, he gives his all.”

The win, engineered by James MacDonald, was the colt’s first in Ontario Sires Stakes action and boosted his sophomore record to five wins, two seconds and $92,882 in earnings through 11 starts. As a 2-year-old Sass posted one win, two seconds and four thirds in 10 starts and made five Grassroots and one Gold Series start, never finishing worse than fifth.

Steacy conditions Sass for owner-breeder Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc.

Iron Horse Photo

Paul MacDonell piloted 3-year-old trotting gelding Will Take Charge to a 1:55.2 track record in his Gold Series division at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday.

Unfortunately for Sass, his track record lasted less than 30 minutes as Will Take Charge toured the Grand River oval in 1:55.2 in the next Gold division. Starting from post five, driver Paul MacDonell put the fan favorite on the front before the quarter pole and the gelding reeled off fractions of :27.2, :57.4 and 1:26.4 before sailing home to a two length victory. Bee In Charge and Dia Monde finished second and third, respectively.

Wednesday’s victory was Will Take Charge’s second in Gold Series action this season and boosted his sophomore record to four wins, three seconds and one third in nine starts for earnings of $154,818. John Bax trains the Kadabra son for his partners Gordon Wright, Don Allensen and John Hayes.

Three races later the 2-year-old trotting fillies stepped to center stage and Grand River fans were treated to a third straight track record performance.

Fan favorite On A Sunny Day left smartly from post three and led the field of nine to a :30.1 opening quarter with the fans’ second choice, Sweet Of My Heart, tucked in behind her. On A Sunny Day continued to lead and Sweet Of My Heart continued to follow through a :59 half and a 1:29.1 three-quarters, but turning for home driver Chris Christoforou Jr. freed Sweet Of My Heart from the pocket and the filly accelerated down the stretch to a half-length victory in 1:58.4. On A Sunny Day settled for second and Literally was well behind the dueling leaders in third.

The 1:58.4 clocking took three-fifths of a second off the former 2-year-old trotting filly track record of 1:59.2 set by Miss Aultsville in 2013.

“She’s a very nice filly, she got a great trip,” noted Christoforou. “She is progressing nicely through the stakes season so far. She has tremendous potential due to her smooth gait, large size and competitive attitude.”

Christoforou crafted the win for trainer Paul Reid and owner-breeder Robert Key. Through the first four Gold legs the daughter of Angus Hall and Sweetheart K now has one win, two seconds and one third.

In the second trotting filly Gold division Janderson earned her third Gold Series trophy with a front-end effort that saw her fend off fan favorite Gravitator through the final quarter and hold on for a half-length win in 2:00. Gravitator had to be satisfied with second and Lady Justice was third.

Mike Keeling trains Janderson for Dr. Roly Armitage and James Armitage. Paul MacDonell pilots the daughter of Muscle Mass-Gracious Marla, who now has Gold Series victories over half-mile, five-eighths-mile and seven-eighths-mile ovals.

The 2-year-old trotting fillies return to the seven-eighths-mile Mohawk Racetrack for their fifth Gold Series event on Sept. 29, while the 3-year-old trotting colts head to the Georgian Downs five-eighths on Aug. 27 for their fourth Gold leg.