Mohawk: Sports Column, Bills Fella tally in Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series

Sports Column and Bills Fella took home the trophies from a pair of C$98,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series events for 3-year-old pacing colts on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.

Driven by Brett Miller, Sports Column moved from third to first on the way to the 54 4/5 half and went on to win by two lengths in a career-best 1:50 1/5. Nascar Seelster (Randy Waples) turned a second-over trip into a runner-up finish, and Mach Deja Vu (Louis-Philippe Roy) was third after challenging the eventual winner from first-over in the back-half of the mile.

"He's actually better chasing horses; I really feel that, but we put him on the front a lot," said winning trainer Blake MacIntosh. "Tonight we asked just to get away in the middle of the pack. He still wound up in front early, but it worked out."

MacIntosh also co-owns Sports Column, a Sportswriter colt, with partners Hutt Racing Stable and Daniel Plouffe. This was his sixth career win, and he has now earned C$352,000. Sent off at 1-2, he paid $3.10 to win.

In the other division Arsenal Seelster (Jonathan Drury) cut fractions of 26 4/5, 55 4/5, and 1:23 2/5, but 14-1 shot Bills Fella (Mike Saftic) rallied into the lead in the stretch after a second-over trip and went on to win by a length and a half in 1:51 1/5, also a new lifetime mark. Red John (Scott Zeron) took second, and Arsenal Seelster finished third. Classic Pro (Trevor Henry), third in the Meadowlands Pace and Milstein against Grand Circuit foes this year, had an off night and didn't hit the board as the favorite.

"I thought he'd get money - third or fourth," admitted victorious trainer Gregg McNair. "Mike's always drove him, and he's always done a good job with him."

McNair also bred and co-owns Bills Fella, a gelding by Artistic Fella, with partner Ian Fleming. Bills Fella is now a five-time winner and has banked $119,118. He returned $31.20 to win.