Longshot players had a field day Tuesday evening at Mohawk Racetrack thanks to a pair of upset winners as the Campbellville, Ontario oval hosted six OSS Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings.
Half A Billion pulled off a 54-1 shocker in the first division for the tandem of driver Mike Saftic and trainer Marcel Barrieau. The homebred son of Sportswriter-Racey Date survived a first-over journey en route to posting the win by three-quarters of a length over race favourite Ace Of Clubs in 1:54.3. Taking home the show dough was Give Em Back.
Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc of Hudson, Quebec bred and owns the brother to Racey Miss (1:51.3 - $221,164) and Petite Courageuse (1:52.2 - $194,578).
Bridge Of Stone erupted for a 45-1 upset in the final division for the duo of driver Phil Hudon and trainer Herb Holland. The freshman survived a first-over journey and won in 1:57.3 over Matchplay Bluechip and St Lads Mcsteamy.
Michael Dennison of Lebanon, Kentucky bred and owns the son of Stonebridge Regal-Dreamlands Sachi.
Single White Sock got the job done in the second division, much to the delight of the favourite players. Sent off as the 9-5 choice, the son of Badlands Hanover-Love You Dear carved out panels of :29, :58.4 and 1:27.4 for driver Randy Waples before ripping home in :28.3 to stop the teletimer in 1:56.2. The margin of victory was 6-1/4 lengths over Mach Code, with third prize going to The Fire Within.
Barry Treen trains the rookie for owner Len Gamble of Etobicoke, Ontario. Purchased for $24,000 from the 2013 Canadian Yearling Sale, the brother to Ramegade Bruiser (1:49.4 - $1,196,776) has banked $9,480 to date.
Jeb rallied from just off the pace and won his pari-mutuel debut in 1:57.1 for driver Phil Hudon and trainer James ‘Friday’ Dean. The son of Camluck-Keystone Treasure sat third while Stature Seelster sliced out first-half fractions of :28.2 and :57.4. Hudon called on his charge to sprint in the third quarter, and the colt brushed to the lead and stepped the field past the three-quarter pole in 1:27. He only needed a :30.1 closing quarter to fend off race favourite Twin B Scandal. Thinkofagameplan rounded out the top three finishers.
Wilma and James MacKenzie of Ennismore, Ontario share ownership on the juvenile who was purchased for $22,000 from the 2013 Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Nor Star Renegade shot to the front and didn’t look back en route to a 1:57.1 triumph in his $18,000 assignment. Jody Jamieson blasted to the lead from Post 9 with the Dave Menary trainee who successfully sliced out intervals of :28.1, :58 and 1:26.4 before cruising home in :30.2 for the win. Feeling Cam Lucky was next best, with third prize going to race favourite Big Moment.
The homebred son of Sportswriter-Allamerican Terra races for Bruce Norris of Caledon East along with Deborah and James Hewson of Mount Forest, Ontario.
Make Some Luck turned a two-hole trip into a 1:55.2 score for Team Jamieson in the fifth division. The son of Camluck-Mustang Kensley stalked race favourite Sports Bettor through first-half fractions of :28 and :57.3 before popping off the rail and pressing that foe to the three-quarter pole in 1:27. Make Some Luck out-sprinted his foes to the finish in 1:55.2, with Sports Bettor and Double Decker next under the line.
Trained by Hall of Famer Carl Jamieson and driven to victory by Jody Jamieson, Make Some Luck won his pari-mutuel debut for Jody’s 1140545 Ontario Ltd of Moffat, Ontario. The rookie was a $19,000 purchase from last year’s Canadian Yearling Sale.