When Ontario Sires Stakes three-year-old pacing fillies assembled in Race 8 Friday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park, one fact was clear: Its A Love Thing didn’t scare away her competition. With only two losses this year, the Bettors Delight-Love For Sail daughter is North America’s richest and second-fastest this year for her age, sex and gait.
A strong field of nine went behind the Mohawk gate in the $140,000 Gold Series leg. Make Out With Me was a late scratch.
The most obvious threat appeared to come from the rail: Odds On Platinum. The OSS divisional leader going into Friday’s fourth leg, she is a daughter of American Jewel, who shares the track and Canadian record for sophomore filly pacers with Its A Love Thing and 2023 O’Brien Somebeachsomewhere Horse of the Year Sylvia Hanover.
Its A Love Thing had previously captured the July 20 OSS Gold Mid-Season Final at Mohawk. That win was over place-finisher Pass Line, who shares the Canadian record for two-year-old fillies that Lyons Sentinel set in 2019.
Show wagering was barred. Its A Love Thing was sent off as a 3-5 favourite in Friday night’s divisional showdown.
At the start, Odds On Platinum and driver Sylvain Filion followed 17-1 longshot Lightning Lizzie (Brett MacDonald) off the gate, with a first-over Sorcha Seelster (Bob McClure) advancing first-over into third. Coco Jo Jo (Jody Jamieson) settled into single-file fourth approaching the first turn, just ahead of Its A Love Thing (James MacDonald).
Odds On Platinum left the pocket to confront Lightning Lizzie past the :27 opening quarter. Filion’s filly led to the :56 half, but Its A Love Thing tipped first-over along the backstretch, with stablemate Pass Line (Doug McNair) in hot pursuit from second-over. Its A Love Thing gained ground steadily on the outside as the pace quickened to three-quarters, reached in 1:22.4, as she took control from Odds On Platinum.
Pass Line came closest to Its A Love Thing in the stretch drive, but no one was catching MacDonald’s filly as she won by just over a length in 1:50. One More Bet (Louis-Philippe Roy) closed for third.
It was Its A Love Thing’s 13th career victory for trainer Dave Menary and driver MacDonald. The former $65,000 Lexington yearling is owned by Eric Good (Davidsonville, Md.), Thomas Biederman (Lexington, Ky.), Joshua Green (Midway, Ky) and Rich Lombardo Racing LLC (Solon, Ohio). She was bred by Marvin and Lynn Katz (Toronto, Ont.) and Al Libfeld (Pickering, Ont.).
“She loves to race horses,” said MacDonald, describing Its A Love Thing post-race in the winners’ circle. “She sees that horse on front, it’s hard to throttle her back when you get her out there. She just wants to go so fast and run them into the ground. She’s been a lot of fun to drive, and hopefully it’s just the tip of the iceberg for her.”
The winning reinsman added that he was surprised by the ease of Its A Love Thing’s victories.
“She’s a beast and I’m just so happy to be along for the ride,” said MacDonald.
Menary shared his praise for the filly, calling her “just special,” while also praising the tactical advantages provided by the reigning O’Brien Driver of the Year.
“James always puts her in the right spot, and even when she’s not in the right spot, she seems to be able to overcome it. She gives me tingles,” Menary said.
The trainer of the top two fillies in the OSS Gold Series Leg 4 said that some of Its A Love Thing’s early-career losses were when she finished second and third due to “running out.” Menary explained that he “corrected that steering last year, and this year it’s kind of been clear sailing. She matured, she grew into herself, and she just loves to do it.”
Menary confirmed that Its A Love Thing’s next start will be the Simcoe Stake, Sept. 7 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
In 2023 O’Brien Award voting, Pass Line finished ahead of Its A Love Thing by 29 votes. This season, the tables have turned, although Menary said Pass Line was “super going into the race tonight. … she was ahead of a lot of good fillies. She had good cover, but ‘Love’ was that much better tonight.”
FEATURED PHOTO: Its A Love Thing winning an OSS Gold Series Race at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Aug. 23 (New Image Media)
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