Rideau Carleton: Twin B Archie triumphs in OSS Gold Series tilt

Twin B Archie, coming in off a second-place finish against open company in the Goodtimes Stakes final, led throughout and won the C$157,200 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series race for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters on Sunday night at Rideau Carleton Raceway.

Driven by James MacDonald, Twin B Archie overcame the outside post eight by blasting out, and he was able to clear to the top before the 27 3/5 opening quarter. MacDonald then stole a second quarter breather of 29 4/5 to get to the half in 57 2/5, with Century Invader (Scott Young) wheeling out first-over from fourth prior to that marker.

Century Invader's bid stalled out on the way to the 1:25 4/5 three-quarters, and from there, it was all Twin B Archie, as he trotted a 28 2/5 last quarter to open up and win by three lengths in 1:54 1/5. Esplosione (Jody Jamieson) turned a second-over trip into a runner-up finish, and Century Invader held third despite the extended first-over grind. Duly Resolved (Paul MacDonell) and Evil Guy (Trevor Henry) rounded out the top five.

"He just gives you that perfect mix of versatility," said MacDonald. "He can leave the gate like no other trotter, but if you want to take him back and trip him out because that's what the race calls for, he likes that as well. He's a really fun horse to drive."

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

An Archangel gelding bred by Twinbrook Limited, Twin B Archie is owned by trainer Scott McEneny in partnership with Domenic Chiaravalle, Floyd Marshall, and Martwest Racing Stable. He has a record of 8-5-1 from 16 career starts, he pushed his bankroll to C$533,941, and he paid $3.60 to win as the 4-5 favorite.

--MacDonald quote courtesy of the Ontario Sires Stakes--