Mel Mara upsets Michael's Power in Gold Final

Returning to Canada after competing at the Grand Circuit meet in Lexington, Kentucky, three-year-old pacing colt Mel Mara earned his first Ontario Sires Stakes Gold trophy of his career defeating divisional leaders Michaels Power and Warrawee Needy in the $130,000 final on Friday evening at Flamboro Downs.

With Tim Tetrick in the sulky, Mel Mara left from post four in the field scratched down to seven with Little Brown Jug champion Michaels Power (Scott Zeron) firing to his outside and clearing to command during a :27.3 opening panel.

Michaels Power led the way past middle fractions of :57 and 1:24.2 with Warrawee Needy (Jody Jamieson) advancing first over from third.

Michaels Power rebuffed Warrawee Needy's challenge at the top of the stretch, but couldn't hold off Mel Mara, who slipped up the pylons to prevail by a neck in 1:51.4. In doing so, Mel Mara handed Michaels Power his first taste of defeat in the OSS program this year. Warrawee Needy finished three and a half lengths back in third.

Mel Mara paid $6.90 to win as the 2-1 third choice. The Lis Mara-M L Revrac colt is trained by Richard 'Nifty' Norman for owners Brittany Farms of Versailles, Kentucky, breeder John Carver of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Riverview Farms of North Bergen, New Jersey.

Mel Mara has earned the bulk of his $343,944 bankroll this year with four wins, two seconds and one third in 16 seasonal starts. Among his wins are a Bluegrass Series division at The Red Mile on Sept. 29.

Eliminations were not necessary for the three-year-old pacing colts' final regular season Gold Series event. Their last OSS test will be the Super Final on Nov. 10 at Woodbine Racetrack. Standardbred Canada

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