Woodbine Mohawk Park: Macho Phil, St Lads Sterling golden in OSS tilts

Shawn Steacy picked up his second Ontario Sires Stakes Gold win of the 2022 season when Macho Phil claimed the first of two divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings on July 2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Jody Jamieson sent the son of Shanghai Phil to the early lead from post five before settling into second at the half-mile marker behind Chucky Hanover (He's Watching). Odds-on favorite Kolby Two Step (Betterthancheddar) made his move as the field went around the far turn and was driving in the stretch, but Jamieson moved past everyone along the rail, and held off his rival to win by a head.

"Going to the front early was just how it worked out, but you usually want to be forward placed," said Steacy. "He's a bit of a trip horse, and with a little bit of help he has a big explosive move, and tonight it worked out real good."

Macho Phil made five OSS starts last season, winning twice at the Grassroots level. He was sixth in his lone Gold start.

"I think he was a quality horse last year as well," said Steacy. "But over the winter he matured really good. He is an intelligent horse all around, so he took care of himself, and now he races with brains this year."

Winning the C$102,200 division pushed Macho Phil over C$148,000 in career earnings for his owners Hudson Standrdbrd Stb Inc.

James MacDonald drove Kolby Two Step to his second-place finish for trainer Tim Gillespie, and Gilliespie's co-owner Jason Churchill. Chucky Hanover finished third in his OSS debut for trainer Paul MacDonell. Chucky Hanover moved over C$100,000 in earnings for owners Glb Stable.

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The second Gold division was won by 8-1 shot St Lads Sterling for trainer Jean Tournigy. Louis-Philippe Roy piloted the son of Control the Moment to his first career OSS score.

Leaving from post three, Roy settled into fourth at the quarter pole, but made a strong move to the lead down the backstretch and didn't look back from there. The trip was reminiscent of the grey colt's first win of the season on June 13 at the Cambpellville, Ontario, oval.

"The first time I did this trip, I wasn't sure how much he would have left down the lane," said Roy. "He is so quick for a little pacer you can use him anywhere. That race I just let him pace the last sixteenth of the mile, and it was like he was just leaving the gate. So tonight, I was less nervous about the same type of move."

The three length win was completed in a time of 1:50 3/5, the first time St Lads Sterling dropped below the 1:51 barrier, and on a night when the first OSS division was won in 1:52.

"It's tough to compare miles all night long because the track hasn't been the same all night long," said Roy. "But you can tell it was a big mile by the way he beat his opponents."

St Lads Sterling moved over C$100,000 in career earnings for owners Les Ecuries Morel Inc., nearly doubling his career total with the win.

Magical Arthur (Artspeak) was second for trainer Anthony Beaton with Trevor Henry driving. The David Lumsden homebred now has a record of 2-3-0 in six OSS starts, and over C$80,000 in earnings in his sophomore campaign. James Dean trainee Ron finished in third. James and Wilma Mackenzie own the son of Sportswriter.

--press release (Ontario Sires Stakes)--