by Sandra Snyder

Campbellville, ON — Father and son duo Rick and Scott Zeron captured all three freshman pacing colt OSS Gold eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on Friday evening.

Scott Zeron led the sweep with a pair of victories while his father settled for one appearance in the Gold Series winner’s circle. The younger Zeron got a little help achieving the driving double when Mike Saftic and his mount Glammit were placed from first back to third for causing interference at the seven-eighths marker in the first C$40,000 elimination. Zeron and Slight Touch were next across the wire and enjoyed a promotion to the top spot thanks to Glammit’s error.

Starting from post two, Zeron settled Slight Touch into fifth spot as Glammit powered out to a :13.2 eighth and a :28.3 quarter. That colt then handed things over to Moon Over Mara, who led the field to a :57.3 half and a 1:26 three-quarters before making his own miscue. Zeron had tipped Slight Touch to the outside heading by the half and was well positioned to take advantage of Moon Over Mara’s error, turning for home almost one length ahead of the competition.

Although Glammit managed to overtake Slight Touch in the stretch, the trouble he caused Panongahela in the process caused him to be set back to third. Slight Touch earned the win, pacing his own mile in 1:55.1, fan favorite Panongahela was promoted from third to second, and Glammit had to settle for third.

Zeron piloted Slight Touch to the win for trainer David Menary and owner Robert Seguin. The Badlands Hanover son, who was a C$16,000 purchase at last fall’s Canadian Yearling Sale, prepped for his Ontario Sires Stakes debut with a pair of qualifying wins at Mohawk, circling the Campbellville oval in 2:00.1 on June 9 and 2:00.4 on June 15.

Menary also provided Zeron’s second winner of the evening, handing him the lines to favorite Tarpon Hanover for the second Gold elimination. Starting from post six, Zeron again settled his charge toward the back of the pack, sitting sixth as Santanna One rolled out to a :12.3 opening eighth and a :26.4 first quarter.

As Santanna One continued to lead the field to a :57 half, Zeron sent Tarpon Hanover up the outside and the colt, another son of Badlands Hanover, had taken command before the 1:24.3 three-quarters. Tarpon Hanover sailed home to a three length victory over Roar and OK Fantastic, halting the teletimer at 1:52.4.

Brad Gray, Bruce Norris, Denis Breton and Menary share ownership of Tarpon Hanover, who is a half-brother to C$829,919 winner Tarver Hanover and C$614,437 winner Tarpaulin Hanover. The partners purchased the well-bred youngster out of last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, signing a check for $82,000.

Like his stablemate Slight Touch, Tarpon Hanover qualified at Mohawk on June 9 and 15, finishing second by a neck the first time and winning the second in an impressive 1:56.4.

Zeron was unable to sweep the Gold eliminations, finishing well back with his third mount, but his father Rick stepped into the breach, steering favorite Mach Pride to a four length victory in 1:53.3. After starting from post seven, Mach Pride took command of the race before the halfway marker and sailed home an easy winner over Bad Boy Hill and early pacesetter Tempo Seelster.

The elder Zeron piloted Mach Pride to his second lifetime victory for trainer Louie Eftimiadis and owner Gerald Mijal. The son of Mach Three and C$422,700 winner Cyber Wave is a half-brother to former Grassroots winner Montenegro, who has earned C$162,130 in her career.

The top three finishers from each elimination, plus one lucky fourth-place finisher, will return to Mohawk Racetrack next Friday (July 6) for the first C$130,000 Gold Final of their careers.