August 16, 2024
By Ontario Sires Stakes Communications
MILTON, Aug. 15, 2024 – If you weren’t paying attention, you would probably think you were experiencing some déjà vu when it came to the two $150,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Mid-Season Finals that were held at Woodbine Mohawk Park Thursday night.
The combination of driver James MacDonald, trainer Nick Gallucci and owner Millar Farms (Stouffville, Ont.) struck it big Thursday, winning both Gold Mid-Season finals for two-year-old pacing fillies and males with Chantilly (Big Jim) and Allstar Maniac (All Bets Off), respectively.
“I’m really surprised,” said Gallucci of winning both Mid-Season Finals. “Especially after that second win. Chantilly, you know, everybody’s expecting her to put a good effort in, but [Allstar Maniac] kind of had to have things go his own way and they sort of didn’t. It was a slow half, but he showed that he wants to win a race and we’re very happy with this race.”
Thursday’s win was Allstar Maniac’s second ever and first in an OSS start. The bay gelding won in a time of 1:53.1 after putting up quarter splits of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:26, chasing down pacesetter Fifth And Five (Bettors Delight) during the final stretch in dramatic fashion right at the wire.
“I’ve never really had to race him too much because he’s just been so talented,” said Gallucci of Allstar Maniac’s tremendous finish. “He’s always been the kind of horse to keep quiet, but it was nice to see that he does have that killer instinct.”
As a 9-1 longshot, it was clear that not many others were aware of the kind of competitive will that the Allstar Farms (Millbank, Ont.)-bred Allstar Maniac had, either.
On the other hand, earlier in Thursday’s 10-race card, Millar Farms homebred did exactly what a 1-9 favourite was expected to do, dominating her eight-horse field from the outside Post 8 and winning in a final time of 1:51.2.
“I’m so impressed with her and so high on her so far in her career,” said MacDonald of Chantilly, who remains undefeated in the three races she’s ran so far, and her ability to overcome Post 8 with ease. “When you’re sitting behind that kind of power you don’t really have many doubts. You know what they’re capable of, and I know she’s capable of just about anything I need.”
With quarter pole splits of :26.4, :55.4 and 1:23.1, Chantilly made it seem easy as she took a lead at the midway point and turned on the jets during the final stretch to win by almost four full lengths.
“When I was able to get to the lead she was just relentless,” said MacDonald. “With her speed she’s just always wanting to go and she’s just a real pleasure to drive.”
Complete results from Thursday’s program are available here, and replays can be viewed on the Woodbine Mohawk Park website.
The next OSS Gold Series event goes Friday night with the fourth leg of the three-year-old pacing colts competing at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
FEATURED PHOTO: Allstar Maniac winning the OSS Gold Mid-Season Final for two-year-old pacing males at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday, Aug. 15 (Clive Cohen/New Image Media)
More Top Racing Headlines