Woodbine Mohawk Park: Unstable Genius doesn't disappoint in OSS Gold Series

Unstable Genius broke his maiden in his first career pari-mutuel start, winning the lone C$150,000 division of the first leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Series for 2-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Monday (July 6) in 1:54 2/5 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The victory, which came after a long technical delay caused by a mass network outage, put C$75,000 on the card of the gelded son of Muscle Mass-Pretty Crafty and pushed winning driver James MacDonald over C$90 million in career earnings.

Sent off as the betting favorite in the field of eight, Unstable Genius sat near the back of the pack in the early going as Arm N Hammer (Bob McClure) led the field through the quarter-mile fraction of 27 4/5. Grand Manalishi (Tyler Jones) took command before the 57 2/5 half, but shortly after, Tyler Moore sent Detonater Hanover toward the front out of fourth spot, followed closely by Unstable Genius. Detonater Hanover was in the lead at the three-quarter pole, reached in 1:26 3/5, but Unstable Genius got past him in mid-stretch to win by one length. Detonater Hanover held on for second, followed by Grand Manalishi, Kountry Cantab (Trevor Henry) and Spiritual Guidance (Mark MacDonald).

"That's kind of unheard of for 2-year-old trotting colts starting out here - a mile in 1:54 and finish the way we did," MacDonald told WEG broadcaster John Rallis. "We were smoking. So, definitely a great first impression, and a great first debut."

The mile was just three-fifths of a second off the 1:53 4/5 OSS record for a 2-year-old trotting colt on a seven-eighths-mile track set by You Got It Kemp in 2024 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Unstable Genius paid $4.50.

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A C$140,000 yearling purchase at the 2025 London Classic Yearling Sale, Unstable Genius was bred by Ashley and Dean Wilson, is owned by Pollack Racing LLC. of Venetia, PA, and trained by Dave Menary.

"Dave was so high on [Unstable Genius training down]," MacDonald said. "He is such a great trainer and has had so many great horses. So, when they're talking them up like that, it gives you a little extra confidence in them. He was spot on because the horse couldn't have been any better tonight."

As for going over C$90 million in career earnings, MacDonald said, "It means a lot. Doug [McNair] and I have been talking about it, because he's closing in on C$100 million, and I remember just watching the greats when I was starting here, and seeing them get their signs for C$100 million. I was thinking, 'I wonder if I will ever get half of that or even a quarter of that?' It's a number that really stood out to me when I went watching great drivers from the past here, and if I ever get there - and I hope I do - it will be a pretty special day."

--press release (Ontario Sires Stakes)--