McNair Magic With Rookies In Grassroots - Stonebridge Rex
July 21, 2020
Reigning Johnston Cup champion Gregg McNair had a productive night in the Ontario Sires Stakes Monday, sending out six freshman pacing colts in Grassroots action and collecting two wins, two seconds and two thirds.
The trainer made his first trip to the winner’s circle after the fourth $22,800 division, joining 1:54 winner Stonebridge Rex. Sent off as the favourite from Post 5, Stonebridge Rex sat mid-pack through the early fractions of :28 and :56.4 put up by Shazam Blue Chip, tipped out behind Snap Call heading by the 1:25.4 three-quarters and then laid down a :27.2 final fraction to claim the win. Snap Call finished two and three-quarter lengths back in second and Shazam Blue Chip was four more lengths back in third.
“He was a pretty spooky colt to jog and stuff when we first broke him, but he always had a pretty good gait to him,” said McNair, who shares ownership of the gelding with breeder Angie Stiller of Arva and Gary Colter of Mississauga, ON. “He qualified pretty good and we threw him right in the Grassroots, and oh I think Doug thought he would have been a little bit better his first start, but he never got the two qualifiers in, and so he was a lot stronger today.”
Stonebridge Rex finished sixth in the July 6 Grassroots season opener at Woodbine Mohawk Park, four and three-quarter lengths behind the winner. McNair said the Control The Moment son could make his next start in the Battle Of Waterloo eliminations at Grand River Raceway next Monday, July 27.
“We usually pay pretty near everything into that. It’s nice and close to home and we’ve had a little luck there a few times, so I’d like to put a couple in it,” said the rural Guelph resident, who has won the event three times, in 2008, 2013 and 2015. “Two or three in it would be good.”
McNair was back in the winner’s circle one race later with Watch My Beverage, who landed fourth from Post 9 and watched Warrawee Wazzup reel off a :27.1 quarter and a :56.1 half. Heading for the 1:25 three-quarters driver Doug McNair sent the gelding after the leaders and Watch My Beverage powered away to a three length victory in 1:54. Between I N U closed well for second and Counter Offer completed the top three.
“One made a break in front of him leaving the gate last week. He paced home in :26.4, but had no shot,” said Doug McNair, who finished fourth, placed third, with the gelding in the season opener. “Tonight he drew bad again, but I got a lot better trip with him. He’s a handy horse and getting confident in his gait. He was a little nervous qualifying.”
Gregg McNair trains Watch My Beverage for breeders Dean Lockhart of Collingwood and Jeffrey Ruch of Innisfil and their co-owner Paul Hawman of Collingwood, ON, and the trainer said it is the Hes Watching gelding making his staff nervous when it comes time to head to the paddock in the morning.
“He’ll haul you right out to the paddock there when you’re taking him out to the field. He gets in a hurry on the lead shank, but once you get the harness on him he’s nice to drive,” said the trainer. “He was the most consistent all winter; he trained good right from the start. He was kind of a wild little bugger to break and stuff, but on the track he’s pretty manageable.”
Watch My Beverage’s stablemates Admit One and Kyoquot finished third in the first two Grassroots divisions and Big Teddy and Big Idea finished second in the third and sixth splits. Doug McNair drove all six pacers and both he and his dad were pleased with the progress of the youngsters.
“They’re learning fast and going in the right direction,” said the driver.
“I was pretty happy with the whole works of them,” said the elder McNair, who added 24 points to his 2020 Johnston Cup tally. “I was surprised that many of them still raced good, usually there’s a couple of them start to go backwards now, but these guys are still going forward so we’re happy with them all.”
Driver Jody Jamieson also posted a two-win night with Candy Trader and Bulldog Hanover in the third and seventh divisions. Both colts were on top before the half and on cruise control at the wire. Candy Trader was two and three-quarter lengths ahead of Big Teddy and Last Bet, stopping the teletimer in 1:54.3.
Bulldog Hanover powered home five and one-half lengths ahead of Take Control and Southwind Sandor in 1:52.4.
“Candy likely would have won the first Grassroots if I drove him better. I zigged whenever I should have zagged. No mistakes tonight and he won pretty easily,” said Moffat resident Jamieson. “Bulldog is a big, strong colt and doesn’t really know what it’s all about just yet, but wants to go fast at all the right times. When he got the lead tonight he just grabbed the bit and paced away strong.”
Anthony Beaton trains Bettors Delight son Candy Trader for Steve Heimbecker of Conestogo, Larry Menary of Branchton, Michael Guerriero of Brampton and Ben Mudry of Toronto, ON. The gelding finished second in the Grassroots season opener.
Shadow Play son Bulldog Hanover was also second in the season opener for owner-trainer Jack Darling of Cambridge, ON.
The first division went to Sunshine Beach son Cadillac Bayama, who bested Armor Seelster and Admit One in 1:53.4 for driver Sylvain Filion, trainer Dr. Ian Moore and owner-breeder Bayama Farms Inc. of Saint-Andre-D’Argenteuil, QC.
Adrenaline Rush took the second division in 1:54.4. The Royal Mattjesty son and driver Bob McClure hit the wire one length ahead of Gold Train and Kyoquot for trainer Kevin McMaster and fractional ownership group TheStable Adrenaline Rush of Guelph, ON.
Betterthancheddar son All Cheddar took the sixth division with a 1:55.3 effort for driver Mike Saftic, trainer Jay Cochlin and owner James Smith of Hagersville, ON. Big Idea was second and Vino Louie third.
The two-year-old pacing colts will make their third Grassroots start at Hiawatha Horse Park on Aug. 22.
Complete results from Monday’s program are available at Woodbine Mohawk Park Results.
Ontario Sires Stakes action continues Tuesday evening at the Milton oval with the second Gold Series leg for the three-year-old trotting colts. The first race goes behind the starting gate at 7 pm and the trotting colts will square off in Races 2 and 6.
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Stonebridge Wings ($6.90) took the second Grassroots division as he nailed favourite Tavern On the Green (Louis-Philippe Roy) by a head to score in 1:53.3. Zillennial (McNair) finished third, June 25 at Mohawk. Marcel Barrieau trains Stonebridge Wings, an Archangel-Stonebridge Glider gelding, and co-owns him with Gestion Mastel Inc. of Longueil, Que.
London Classic Yearling Sale graduate Stonebridge Wings earned his maiden victory on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The three-year-old son of Archangel sat patiently off the pace before driver Bob McClure angled him into the outer flow turning for home. Stonebridge Wings powered through the stretch and got up in the final strides to score in 1:55.4 for trainer Marcel Barrieau.
Linda Toscano, Joe Bongiorno and Ron Burke each had multiple training wins at the first week of two-year-old qualifiers at Gaitway Farm on Wednesday, June 10. Burke’s three winners were pacing colts Midwind Buxton and Stonebridge Blitz and trotting filly Nevis Peak, all driven by Yannick Gingras. Stonebridge Blitz (Tall Dark Stranger-Shouldabeenatd) also triumphed in 1:56.1, and also with a :27 last quarter from out of the pocket after stablemate JK Lmnop set the pace. Stonebridge Blitz was purchased for $55,556 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, Michael Rosenthal and Frank Baldachino. He was bred by Stonebridge Farm Ltd.
Stonebridge Blitz ( Tall Dark Stranger -Shouldabeenatd) triumphed in 1:56.1, and also with a :27 last quarter from out of the pocket after stablemate JK Lmnop set the pace at Wednesday’s (June 10) first week of 2-year-old qualifiers at Gaitway Farm.. Stonebridge Blitz was purchased for $40,000 at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale and is owned by Burke Racing Stable, Larry Karr, Michael Rosenthal, and Frank Baldachino. He was bred by Stonebridge Farm LTD.
Stonebridge Reef made it three straight victories in the Winners Over Pace at Tioga Downs as the Jeff Cullipher-trained stallion won the $17,808 feature on Sunday, June 22. Stonebridge Reef ($3.70) went straight to the front for Tyler Miller, reigned unchallenged as he cut fractions of :26.4 and :55.3, and started to widen the lead over Bb Lucky Boy (Braxten Boyd) as the field travelled down the backstretch to three-quarters in 1:22.1. As they made the turn for home, it became a race for the minors as Stonebridge Reef cruised to a 3-1/2-length victory in a seasonal-best 1:50.1. Vengeance Bluechip (Jim Pantaleano) rallied to take second over Intimidation (Ridge Warren). Stonebridge Reef , a seven-year-old stallion, is undefeated in three starts at Tioga Downs since moving to the track from Pocono Downs earlier this month. He is now seven-for-15 this term and notched his 24th win in 114 lifetime starts. The son of Somebeachsomewhere-Rock N Soul is owned by Pollack Racing Stable LLC. Leading driver Braxten Boyd continued his dominance at Tioga, winning five more races on the 12-dash card. The reinsman, now ahead of Tyler Miller by 21 wins in the standings, won with Smart Guy ($9), Top Tier ($7.10), Ozark ($2.50), Dontbothermenone N ($5.50) and Orlando Blue A ($4.40). Pantaleano and trainer Mike Deters teamed up for three wins on the card. They struck with Always B Elvis ($4.40), Parmesan N ($4.20) and Mea Culpa A ($3). The 14-year-old trotting gelding Everyones Talkin reached 50 career wins as he took the finale. The veteran by Donato Hanover-Poster Princess got every call and won the $11,644 Southern Tier Amateur Club dash in 1:57.2 with Ron Cusimano in the bike. Sir Jesse (Lee Morris) finished second by 2-1/2 lengths after a first-over effort. Kruise On Dover (Cameron Capone) was third. Everyones Talkin made his second start for trainer Edgar Clarke in the victory, the gelding's first of the season in seven appearances. He hit the 50-win milestone in start number 349 while increasing his career earnings to $451,532. Cusimano Stables LLC owns the gelding. Tioga Downs will host its next card on Friday, June 27 with a post time of 6:15 p.m.
Stonebridge Reef , driven by Tyler Miller, won the $16,438 Winners Over Handicap Pace in his Tioga Downs debut on Sunday, June 8. BB Lucky Boy (Braxten Boyd) went straight to the front in a :26.4 quarter before backing down the pace to the half in :56.2. He was prompted to pick it up again as Livonjaxandqueens (Colin Kelly) went first-up down the backstretch and challenged to three-quarters in 1:22.3. But as they reached the stretch, pocket-sitter Stonebridge Reef rushed three-wide and blew right on by to win in 1:51.2 by 3-1/4 lengths. Primo Uomo (Warren Ridge) was flying late from the back of the six-pack to finish second over another closer, Little Willy (Aaron Byron), and Livonjaxandqueens. Stonebridge Reef , a seven-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere out of Rock N Soul, is trained by Jeff Cullipher and owned by Pollack Racing. He earned his fifth win of the year from 13 starts, pushing his seasonal earnings over $50,000. Stonebridge Reef paid $4.40 to win as the bettors' choice. Live harness racing resumes at Tioga Downs on Friday, June 13, with a post time of 6:15 p.m. (With files from Tioga Downs)
Standardbred Canada announced the winners of the 2024 O’Brien Awards, honouring Canada’s best in harness racing over the past season, at the Black Tie Gala on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025 in Mississauga, Ont. The event marked the 36th edition of the O’Brien Awards, named in honour of the late Joe O’Brien, an outstanding horseman from Prince Edward Island and member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame. Stonebridge Wizard received the O’Brien Award in the Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt category. The Dancin Lou-Odds On Magic gelding had his winner’s circle photograph taken five times from nine starts as a rookie for trainer Jared Bako. Stonebridge Wizard was a stalwart in the OSS from start to finish, claiming wins in both the season's first and last Gold legs. Sandwiched between those Gold triumphs was his biggest payday, which came in a hard-fought victory in the $245,400 Battle of Waterloo at Grand River Raceway, where he earned his lifetime mark of 1:51.2.
Thursday (Oct. 3) evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park. Stonebridge Wizard took the first of two $95,000 OSS Gold splits for the freshman boys with a hefty 15-1 upset. Doug McNair took the Jared Bako student into third and they bided their time through marks in :28, :57, and 1:24.4. Sliding up the inside, Stonebridge Wizard was able to zip past the field and win by a neck in 1:51.4. Sauble Wizard (Bob McClure) closed sharply, but was bested at the wire. Smiling Dancer (James MacDonald) rounded out the show ticket. "He showed tonight he was tough as whalebone," McNair said. "He did a lot of work in the stretch to get by a lot of horses." David Kryway owns the Dancin Lou - Odds On Magic gelding as he moved his record to 5-1-0 in eight starts. Stonebridge Wizard has banked $281,100 in his young career to date. He paid $32.70 to win.
Stonebridge Thrill bested his stablemate at the wire in one of two $20,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Sept. 16) evening as one of four top performers from the Anthony Beaton Stable on the card. Beaton had a pair of starters in both OSS Grassroots divisions for sophomore pacing colts and geldings and they returned with a record of 1-2-1 for the evening tally. Mcpleasant (James MacDonald) was the first to the quarter timer in :26.4, while his stablemate Stonebridge Thrill (Tyler Borth) was caught on the outside in fourth. Borth moved Stonebridge Thrill along the pylons before the :54.3 half while Do Better took over from Mcpleasant as the leader. Before the three-quarters in 1:22.4, Stonebridge Thrill was out on the move again, following the cover of Mcpleasant. A miscue by Do Better left the stablemates to battle for victory at the wire. Both pacing a 1:49.4 final mile time, Stonebridge Thrill did the better work with his :26.3 last quarter to win by a half length in 1:49.4. Chalk Hanover (Jody Jamieson) was third. Stonebridge Thrill is a three-year-old son of Bettors Delight and the Somebeachsomewhere mare Inverse Hanover owned by Mac and Carol Nichol. He won his first race of the year and third race from 22 starts in a career best time, pushing his lifetime sum to $86,986.
Stonebridge Farm are pleased to welcome the talented pacing mare Lee Loo to their broodmare band. A winner of close to $300,000 in her racing career, Lee Loo graduated from the New York Sire Stakes to open mare competition before being retired this summer. In total the daughter of Huntsville faced the gate 87 times and recorded a summary of 15-10-10 and a life record of 1:50.2 taken as a three-year-old. Lee Loo is from the Rock N Roll Heaven daughter Taiya Hanover who has also produced McNeil Z Tam p, 4, 1:51.4f ($133,781); S McKee p, 4, 1:52.3; Hes Express p, 3 1:54.3h ($71,475) and this year’s sophomore Whereicomefrom p, 3, 1:54.3f –‘24, also by Huntsville. Taiya is a sister to a pair of millionaires – Luck Be Withyou ($1.4M) and American Jewel ($1.8), the latter the dam of this year’s standout Odds On Platinum p, 3, 1:49 –’24 ($788,198). Stonebridge Farm welcomes Lee Loo to our select group of broodmares and look forward to selecting her first consort.
