Tinys Million shocks in OSS Gold elim

In The Irons turned in a scintillating effort while Tinys Million pulled off a shocking upset in Sunday night's pair of Ontario Sire Stakes (OSS) Gold eliminations for 3-year-old colt pacers at Woodbine Racetrack.

Tinys Million lit up the tote board in the opening $61,715(C) split, scoring for driver Brad Forward at odds of 67-1 in 1:52.

The son of Million Dollar Cam-Tinycrombie took advantage of a perfect pocket trip, and breaks in stride by Bigtime Ball and Daddy Mac, to prevail narrowly over the pacesetting Transcending. Despite a miscue while sitting last in the early going, heavily favoured Bigtime Ball recovered well to pick up the show spot, pacing his own final half in :53.

"The last time I drove him (Tinys Million) up in Kawartha, I really thought he was going to win that night," said winning driver Forward of his charge who had made a costly break in a Gold elimination on Sept. 18. "But then he got running in a little bit on the last turn and I lost him. Even though he was long odds, I really thought he had a shot tonight."

The victory was the fifth in 17 tries this season for the Scott McEneny trainee and boosted his seasonal bankroll to more than $65,000 for owners Joe Tinelli and Troy Hewko of Edmonton, Ab.

In the second elimination, In The Irons took no prisoners from post seven and wired the field in a sharp lifetime-best clocking of 1:50.3. The son of Mach Three-Easter Lace hit the wire some four lengths better than Deuces And Jacks who edged out a charging Semalu Express for the show spot.

In The Irons came into the race sitting 12th in the OSS points standings this season and the win vaulted him all the way up into fifth position.

"I knew he came into tonight needing a good chunk to move up," said winning driver Phil Hudon. "He's always been a lot better on the front, especially here at Woodbine. He's had lameness issues all summer but tonight he seemed good and sound. Hopefully, he'll end off the year strong."

The $130,000 Gold final-the last of the season-goes next Saturday night at Woodbine. Here's a look at the field in post position order:

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