OSS “Takeover” Saturday at Mohawk

An action-packed 13-race card will offer fans and horseplayers the opportunity to see the best Ontario sired sophomores in each division strut their stuff. 

The three-year-old pacing colt division generally grabs the headlines and Saturday it’ll lead the way with 25 colts and geldings split into three $66,400 divisions.

Dr. Ian Moore trainee Classic Pro is the headliner in the division and returns to Mohawk fresh off a third-place finish in last week’s Meadowlands Pace. The son of Shadow Play captured a Gold division back on Canada Day, which was his first start since finishing fourth in the $1 million Pepsi North America Cup.​

A winner of $222,045 this season, Classic Pro and driver Trevor Henry will leave from post six in the opening division (Race 2). The other two divisions are carded as Races 5 and 9.

A group of 19 sophomore trotting colts and geldings have been split into a pair of divisions going for purses of $98,000 and $97,200.

Try Try Again is undefeated in OSS action and five for six in his young career heading into Saturday’s second division for trainer Dustin Jones. The son of Kadabra started his career this season with five consecutive victories, including scores in a Grassroot and Gold, before finishing second in his most recent outing (a Non-Winners of Four event).

Try Try Again’s pedigree supports his results this season, as his second dam is Spellbound Hanover, the dam of Trotting Triple Crown winner Marion Marauder.

Chris Christoforou will steer the Jones’ trainee from post-seven in Race 8. The first division is carded as Race 6.

The sophomore pacing fillies will be on display later in the evening, as 15 of them have been split into two divisions ($96,400 and $95,600) carded as Races 11 and 12.

Tony O’Sullivan trainee Soiree Seelster currently leads the OSS Standings with $71,900 banked over two previous Gold legs. The daughter of Big Jim captured a division on June 1 at Mohawk and most recently finished second in a leg at Grand River on June 26.

Soiree Seelster has banked $213,782 in nine career starts (four wins). She’ll start from post-five in the first division with Sylvain Filion in the sulky.

The three-year-old filly trot division will feature 16 fillies split into a pair of $96,400 divisions carded as Race 1 and 3.

With the top two horses (Magic Presto and Paradise Image) in the OSS Standings not competing Saturday, and the next two in line competing in the same division, the door is wide open for a filly to breakthrough.

Sweet Of My Heart and On A Sunny Day are the only two fillies with Gold victories this season racing in Saturday’s leg and both will compete in the first split.

A daughter of Angus Hall, Sweet Of My Heart has won two of six starts this season after winning two of five and never missing the board as a rookie. The Paul Reid trainee most recently saw a two-race win streak snapped when she made a break in her last outing.

Louis Philippe Roy will team up with Sweet Of My Heart to start from post-two.

On A Sunny Day carries an impressive six for 10 record into Saturday’s contest for trainer Luc Blais. The Muscle Mass filly has two wins and a second in four starts this season and most recently captured a Gold leg at Georgian on July 2.

Sylvain Filion will steer the Blais trainee from post-six.

The OSS action won’t be the only fun going on Saturday evening. Fans on-track can sign up for “Drive With Us” for a chance to take part in sulky rides between races.

The sign-up for “Drive With Us” is available at the Customer Service/Program desk and is available on a first come, first serve basis. Spots do fill up quickly, so fans are encouraged to inquire immediately upon arrival.

There will also be a drawing Saturday evening for a Pepsi North America Cup poster autographed by all 10 drivers from this year’s race. Ballots will be available at the Program desk and the drawing will take place after Race 6.

Doors open Saturday at 5:30 p.m., with the Terrace Dining Room and Trackside Bar opening at 6:30 p.m. Live racing begins at 7:30 p.m.