INNISFIL, ON — Paul MacDonell opted for a different strategy with Mr Ontario on Tuesday evening at Georgian Downs, but the result was the same when the two-year-old gelding trotted to his second straight win and claimed another piece of Gold Series hardware.

From the outside Post 9 in last week’s elimination round, MacDonell and Mr Ontario sat third through the mile and delivered an impressive finishing kick to claim the win, but from Post 5 on Tuesday the pair wasted no time getting to the front and carved out all the fractions en route to the 1:59.2 victory.

Favourite B Cor Rennegade challenged Mr Ontario at the three-quarter pole, but was turned away and had to settle for second while Simple Life claimed third-place honours in the $130,000 contest.

Mr Ontario’s victory shaved one-fifth of a second off the former Georgian Downs speed record for freshman trotting colts, set by Stormont Welldone in 2004.

Cheltenham resident David Menary trains Mr Ontario for his partners Larry Menary of Cheltenham and Todd and John Gimblett of Whitby. The group acquired the Mr Lavec son for $5,500 at last fall’s Canadian Classic Sale and have already banked $78,670 on his behalf through two the first two starts of the freshman campaign.

In spite of his modest purchase price, Mr Ontario hails from a star studded family. His mother, Tomato Aspic, is a half-sister to super sire Balanced Image, who died last fall after producing countless Ontario Sires Stakes and international champions, and he claims among his siblings $207,276 winner B Cor Super Tom.

Sent off as the Georgian Downs fans’ second choice, Mr Ontario returned $5.00 to win, $2.90 to place and $2.60 to show. B Cor Rennegade delivered $2.80 on a place wager and $2.70 for a show voucher, while fifth choice Simple Life paid $5.30 to show.

The exactor was worth $8.60, the triactor returned $41.90 and correctly selecting the top three colts and fourth-place finisher Yorktown Gunner earned fans $157.10 on their superfecta play.

Mr Ontario will begin defence of his Gold Final title on July 22 at Grand River Raceway, while Georgian Downs fans look forward to the arrival of the two-year-old pacing fillies for their third Grassroots event on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgeodftu.html#N7