Lennon Blue Chip made short work of his eight rivals in capturing the C$140,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series Final for 3-year-old colt pacers at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday night, in 1:52.
MacDonald, who had the choice of two starters in the final, was up behind the strapping son of No Pan Intended, and had him gunning for the early lead with last week's other elimination winner, Keystone Horatio, moving up to challenge in the early stages.
The top pair eventually settled one-two, and went that way past the opening quarter, in :27.1, and the half in :55.4. At that point, Lennon Blue Chip's stablemate, Lucky Man, made the first-over sacrifice and prompted the pacesetter through three-quarters, in 1:24.2. As the field turned for home, a confident MacDonald was looking around for challengers while his pacer still had a firm hold on the bit. The pocket-sitter, Keystone Horatio, was twisting and turning in search of racing room, but was unable to stay with the eventual winner. In the end, Lennon Blue Chip prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths, with Keystone Horatio winning the place battle over a longshot, Shady Idea, who landed the show spot. "We were really happy with him," winning trainer Casie Coleman said afterwards. "Mark said he was running in a bit in the stretch, so we'll get him looked at and try to address that before next week. If he comes out of this race in good order then we'll try him next in the Burlington (Stakes)." The victory was the second of the season for Lennon Blue Chip, who is owned by Rodney Mitchell, Inc. of Dover, Del. One of the big stories came prior to the race, when Deuce Seelster was scratched, sick. Both he and the top two finishers from the Gold Final are eligible to the Pepsi North America Cup, with eliminations slated for Sat., June 7. For more information, visit www.northamericacup.com. (WEG)
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