Woodbine Mohawk Park: Nijinsky mines more Ontario Sires Stakes Gold
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North America Cup champion Nijinsky rallied off a second-over trip to capture Friday night's single C$140,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series race for sophomore colt and gelding pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
With James MacDonald filling in for a vacationing Louis-Philippe Roy, Nijinsky grabbed a seat in fifth from post eight as Chain Gang (Trevor Henry) stepped to the top and put up opening-half fractions of 26 4/5 and 56 1/5 over a track rated "good" and one second off. 53-1 shot Legal Attack (Jody Jamieson) was out and moving first-over from fourth before the half-mile marker went up on the board, giving Nijinsky a helmet to follow.
Chain Gang easily handled Legal Attack's two-wide attempt and got separation on the field prior to the 1:23 1/5 three-quarters, but MacDonald cut Nijinsky loose three-wide passing that pole and easily made up the ground on Chain Gang before he swept by him in the lane. From there, Nijinsky didn't have any anxious moments as he coasted in for a 3 1/2 length victory in 1:51. Crush Kill Destroy (Doug McNair) was the runner-up after a pocket trip and Nijinsky's stablemate Wikipedia (Travis Cullen) closed with pace to collect third.
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"He's just so brave right now. Louis and Tony (trainer Tony Beaton) have done an amazing job with him. All year he's just been flying home and blowing by great horses," said MacDonald, who hadn't driven Nijinsky since October of 2023. "Last year he was fast; this year he's just unbelievable. He's just dying to get at them, and he's better gaited. He's more mature and he's a little stronger, just a really fun horse to sit behind.
"He's just a real professional to drive. He's two fingers, just waits on you. The only time he gets on the bit hardly at all is when he's ready to rock. He swelled up in the last turn and when I moved him, he was airborne. Really cool little horse, and I'm just grateful for the drive this week."
A Bettor's Delight colt bred by Jeff Snyder, Nijinsky is trained by Beaton for owners West Wins Stable, John Fielding and Mark Dumain. This was his ninth win from 19 career tries, he has now pocketed C$1,114,082 and he paid $2.40 to win.