Rookie filly stays perfect in $150,000 Mid-Season Final

Undefeated filly Chantilly (Big Jim) won her third straight race to start her harness racing career in the $150,000 Ontario Sires Stake Gold Mid-Season Final for two-year-old pacing fillies on Thursday (Aug. 15) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

After slotting in fourth to the quarter in :26.4, James MacDonald sent her three-wide around the front-stepping Wickedpace (Jody Jamieson) to take control just past the half in :55.4. Chantilly brought the field through three-quarters in 1:23.1 and grabbed a couple of lengths going to the eighth pole. Wickedpace had no extra from the pocket, and Chantilly cruised home to complete the 1:51.2 victory. Wickedpace was three-and-three-quarter lengths behind in second. Macapelo Seelster (Tyler Borth) was third.

CHANTILLY REPLAY

Chantilly started her career in the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots, rose to the Gold level a week later, and had a month off before Thursday’s win. Nick Gallucci trains the filly, who has now earned $132,500, for Millar Farms of Stouffville.

MacDonald, Gallucci, and Millar Farms swept the night’s OSS races as Allstar Maniac (All Bets Off) captured the Gold Mid-Season Final for two-year-old pacing males. The gelding sat seventh before shifting out second-over approaching the final turn. After climbing past horses on cover, Allstar Maniac fired into striking range by the eighth pole. Leader Fifth And Five (Jamieson) held a three-length advantage into mid-stretch, but Allstar Maniac chased him down and got up by a half-length in 1:53.1.

Fifth And Five was a game second with Sterling Choice (Bob McClure) another two-and-a-half lengths back in third.

ALLSTAR MANIAC REPLAY

Allstar Maniac is now two-for-five lifetime with $96,348 in earnings. The Mid-Season Final win was his first in the OSS.

MacDonald also surpassed $70 million in earnings on the night. He started his driving career in 2009 and has won more than 3,700 races in 27,224 starts. The reinsman is Canada’s reigning three-time Driver of the Year.

Woodbine Mohawk Park’s next card on Friday, Aug. 16 will feature the fourth OSS Gold leg for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink