Unstable Genius set a 1:53 Ontario Sires Stakes record for 2-year-old trotting colts while winning the lone $150,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Leg 3 event for his division on Friday (Aug. 14) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The gelded son of Muscle Mass out of Pretty Crafty is now a perfect three-for-three in his career, all three wins coming in $150,000 OSS Gold events to push his career earnings to $225,000.
The mile was nearly a full second faster than the previous OSS record of 1:53.4 set by You Got It Kemp in 2024 at Mohawk.
Unstable Genius’ trainer, Dave Menary, told Woodbine broadcaster John Rallis, “I’ve been pretty excited about [Unstable Genius] for a long time. You know, prior to qualifying, he kind of gave me the whooo! I haven’t had that in a while, and he hasn’t let us down yet. So, I’m hoping things keep going the right direction.”
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite in the field of seven, James MacDonald eased Unstable Genius off the gate and sat gapped out in third through the early going as Kountry Cantab (Trevor Henry) led the field to the :27 quarter-mile pole, followed by Grand Manalishi (Tyler Jones). MacDonald had Unstable Genius out and moving up the backstretch, reaching the front before the :55.4 half-mile station. It was Unstable Genius, followed by Kountry Cantab and Grand Manalishi through the 1:25 three-quarters and then Unstable Genius pulled away in the stretch to win by four lengths over late-closing Three Six Zero (Jody Jamieson).
Kountry Cantab was third, followed by Tuff Gong (Lous-Philippe Roy) and Grand Manalishi.
Unstable Genius paid $2.70.
The record mile came despite the fact Unstable Genius has been off three weeks.
“I thought being off three weeks, he might be a little bit short by our standards,” Menary said. “Maybe not short for a 2-year-old trotter, but it worked out, and [MacDonald] said he’s never been better… We’ve raced him very easy so far, and, hopefully, he’s got good things ahead of him.”
Menary said he’s aiming to enter Unstable Genius in next weekend’s eliminations for the William Wellwood Memorial.
In previous Gold Series action in the division, Unstable Genius won Leg 1 on July 6 and also, Leg 2 on July 24. Both races were held at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
A $140,000 yearling purchase at the 2025 London Classic Yearling Sale, Unstable Genius was bred by Ashley and Dean Wilson, and is owned by Pollack Racing LLC of Venetia, PA.