Toronto, ON — Ontario sired 3-year-olds have their first major stakes engagement of the 2023 campaign this weekend with the C$542,000 SBOA finals on Saturday (May 20) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The four divisions for males and females in both gaits are carded as races four through seven. Let’s take a look at the top-three morning line choices in each, starting in reverse order with the glamour boys and Stockade Seelster’s highly anticipated seasonal debut.

RACE 7 – Three-Year-Old Colts and Geldings Pace – C$136,800

Stockade Seelster (State Treasurer) – 2-1

The dual Dan Patch and O’Brien Award winner makes his anticipated season debut off three impressive qualifiers, the most recent a seven length romp at Mohawk on May 12. He hit the board in 10 of 11 starts as a rookie, winning the OSS Super Final and Metro Pace. Jody Jamieson will drive from post nine.

“Everything is good with no problems so far. We are very happy, and we are on track,” said trainer Ian Moore. “It’s a shame that he didn’t get (a race) last week, but he’s ready to go, he’s getting tired of training. Nine hole is tougher, but it is better than the 11 hole.”

Moment Is Here (All Bets Off) – 9-2

He established a new lifetime mark in his last start, pacing a mile in 1:50 after picking up the lead from the quarter pole on. The conditioned win was his third lifetime. James MacDonald is driving the Bob McIntosh trainee who hit the board in three of five OSS starts last season.

Write Me a Rose (Sportswriter) – 5-1

He’s made three starts this season in the conditioned ranks at Mohawk and has won his last two. He started strong as a 2-year-old with a pair of Gold wins right out of the gate and earned close to C$150,000 in the OSS last year. Kyle Fellows trains with Sylvain Filion driving.

RACE 6 – Three-Year-Old Trotting Colts and Geldings – C$144,800

Osceola (Muscle Mass) – 5-2

This was the lone division where eliminations were required, and Team McNair sends this elimination winner out from the post three. The talented colt had three wins at the Gold level last year and earned over C$175,000 during his freshman season.

Tuscan Prince (Kadabra) – 3-1

The winner of the other SBOA elimination is trained by Luc Blais. Last year he started off with a pair of Grassroots wins, picked up a second in his William Wellwood elimination, and won a Gold division in the final leg of the year. Louis-Philippe Roy drives from post six.

Hasty Bid (My MVP) – 7-2

Another colt who moved forward as a 2-year-old, he was a winner at the Grassroots level in his debut, and was a runner-up in his final start in a Gold division on Oct. 3. He was a close second to Osecola in his elimination, powering home in :26.2 for trainer Paige Austin. James MacDonald drives from post five.

RACE 5 – Three-Year-Old Filly Pace – C$129,500

Savethelastdance (Bettor’s Delight) – 5-2

The Millar Farms homebred is a full sister to O’Brien Award winner Silver Label. She’ll attempt to follow in her sibling’s footsteps by winning the SBOA final to kickstart her 3-year-old campaign. James MacDonald drives for trainer Nick Gallucci from post five.

“I’m happy with how Savethelastdance has come back this year,” said Gallucci. “She looked comfortable in her first start of the year and hopefully that leads to a good race in the final on Saturday.”

Lyonsbettorday (Bettor’s Delight) – 3-1

A solid freshman campaign saw Lyons Bettorday earn C$148,328, and the Anthony Beaton trainee has a trio of runner-up finishes through three starts this year. She hit the board in four of her six OSS starts last season and picked up a Gold win. Louis-Philippe Roy is driving from post three.

Cheesy Smile (Betterthancheddar) – 4-1

The 2022 Super Final winner earned over C$290,000 in the OSS during a lucrative freshman campaign. She has one 2023 start under her belt in the conditioned ranks at Mohawk. Bob McClure will sit behind the John Pentland trainee and leave from post seven.

RACE 4 – Three-Year-Old Filly Trot – C$131,500

HP Extra Ice (Alarm Detector) – 3-1

Trained by Benoit Baillargeon, this filly didn’t make a pari-mutuel start as a 2-year-old, but already has three wins in 2023, including the C$43,900 Ontario Sired Spring Series final. She was named the top choice despite drawing the outside post 10. James MacDonald is in the racebike.

Climb The Pole (Kadabra) – 7-2

Lightly raced as a 2-year-old, Climb The Pole comes into the final riding a three race win streak, the most recent coming in an SBOA Prep class at Mohawk where she beat HP Extra Ice by a length. Trained by Amanda Fine, Jody Jamieson is in the bike as the filly leaves from post nine.

Stonebridge Bravo (Muscle Mass) – 4-1

Dagfin Henriksen has taken over training duties for this filly in 2023, who picked up a conditioned win at Mohawk in her seasonal debut on May 4. She was a runner-up at the OSS Gold level in 2022. Bob McClure is in the bike leaving from post eight.