June 18, 2024
By Ontario Sires Stakes Communications
MILTON, June 17, 2024 – R LIZA (MUSCLE MASS) used a :27.3 final quarter to build a big lead down the final stretch and win her second straight Ontario Sires Stakes Gold series race Monday at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Competing in the $140,000 Gold Leg 2 for three-year-old trotting fillies, the Susanne Kerwood trainee is a perfect 4-for-4 in starts to begin this season, earning $221,700, including $140,000 alone across her two OSS Gold starts.
The four victories matches the total number of wins she earned across eight starts as a two-year-old already, as it would appear R LIZA has taken another step up in her sophomore year.
“She’s just been so good. I don’t think any of us thought she would go 4-for-4 this year for her first four starts,” said R LIZA driver Jody Jamieson after the race. “Definitely, if you would’ve said she’d win four races as a three-year-old, I think we would agree with that, but to go 4-for-4 and be undefeated so far this year, she’s been way above anybody’s expectations and she’s making a ton of money.”
R LIZA took command of the race over the first half, trotting into the midway point in :57. Coming down the last stretch, she had built a five-length lead and was looking like she would cruise to an easy victory, but ended up being somewhat challenged by WILLYS HOME RUN (ARCHANGEL). The James MacDonald-driven filly was charging hard in pursuit, but could only reach R LIZA’s wheel before the race ended.
Winner of five OSS Gold series races and the $300,000 OSS Gold Super Final last year, WILLYS HOME RUN has not had the same kind of luck as a three-year-old. Instead, it’s been R LIZA who has been the dominant trotter in the division.
“[R LIZA] has come back stronger as a three-year-old and maybe WILLYS hasn’t advanced as much as they would have hoped, or maybe she has but my horse has just come around and has just been that much better,” Jamieson said.
R LIZA was bred by Kentuckiana Farms LLC (Lexington, Ky.), and owned by M And L Of Delaware LLC (Wilmington, Del.) and Alabama Harness Associate (Vestavia Hills, Ala.).
Complete results from Saturday’s program are available here and replays can be viewed on the Woodbine Mohawk Park website.
The next OSS Gold series races will see three-year-old pacing colts and fillies compete at Rideau Carleton Raceway on June 23, where the next stop of the OSS 50th Anniversary celebration will be taking place.
FEATURE IMAGE: R LIZA winning the $140,000 OSS Gold series Leg 2 race for three-year-old trotting fillies on June 17, 2024 (New Image Media)
More Top Racing Headlines