Woodbine Mohawk Park: Another OSS Gold Series success for Adare Castle

Adare Castle posted her second straight victory in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series, taking Friday evening's one C$156,300 test for sophomore trotting fillies in 1:53 2/5.

Driven by James MacDonald, Adare Castle left from post six and took the lead away from Grace And Favor (Scott Young) after the 27 3/5 opening quarter. Adare Castle then backed down the tempo to just 57 seconds at the half, with Mischevious Rose (Bob McClure) rolling first-over out of fourth heading to that station.

Mischevious Rose pressured Adare Castle on the last turn and to the 1:24 2/5 three-quarters, but Adare Castle was able to fend her off and then opened up in a 29 second final panel, winning by 2 1/4 lengths. Saundra (Sylvain Filion) was the runner-up, and Mischevious Rose wound up third.

"She's just a terrific horse, and Mark's [trainer Mark Etsell] done an awesome job managing her. She's got a tough schedule coming up, so he took his time. Three or four weeks off, and she was terrific tonight again."

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A daughter of Muscle Mass bred by Ed Lohmeyer, Adare Castle is also owned by Etsell in partnership with Robert Newton, Graham Hopkins, and Peter Porter. Adare Castle hasn't been out of the exacta in 14 career starts, winning 11 times and finishing second on three occasions, and she has now put away C$769,924. She returned $2.60 to win as the 1-5 favorite.

While obviously happy with the victory, Etsell noted that Adare Castle's schedule will be picking up soon, especially when she's set to face open company in the Elegantimage.

"She's going to have a busy September, so hopefully she can stay good for the whole month," Etsell remarked. "52 and change is not out of the line, I don't think, but we'll see."

Elsewhere on Friday's card, driver Louis-Philippe Roy picked up his 2,000th career driving win when he piloted Settn A Precedent to a 1:49 4/5 victory in race four.