ELORA, ON — Fans may not have sent Thankyoukessel off as their top choice in the second Gold Series division at Grand River Raceway on Friday night, but driver Mike Saftic was confident in his mount’s abilities.
Starting from Post 6, Saftic put Thankyoukessel on the rail in fourth while last year’s Grassroots champ Buddy Hally rolled through fractions of :29.2, :58.4 and 1:27.2. Heading for the three-quarter marker Saftic tipped Thankyoukessel out behind fan favourite Gotta Secret and waited until the stretch to shift the gelding into top gear.
Once he hit his stride Canadian Breeders champ Thankyoukessel reeled in the leaders and hit the wire one-quarter length on top in a track record 1:57.1. Buddy Hally settled for second and Gotta Secret was relegated to third.
The win was the second in Gold Series action this season for Thankyoukessel, who is trained by Joe MacIsaac for owner-breeder Carolyn Williston of Moffat. The win vaulted the Ken Warkentin son to the top of the three-year-old trotting colt point standings with 112.
After starting his season at the Grassroots level, last year’s Super Final champion Creampuff Macdaddy made a successful leap up to the top tier with a gate-to-wire 1:59.1 score in the first $105,000 division. Another son of Ken Warkentin, Creampuff Macdaddy is trained by Brad Maxwell for Howard Taylor of Philadelphia, PA, Theodore Gewertz of New York, NY, Edwin Gold of Phoenixville, PA and Judith Taylor of Bala Cynwyd, PA. Randy Waples crafted the colt’s third sophomore victory.
The three-year-old trotting colts make their last regular season Gold Series start at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 20. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Grand River Raceway on Monday, Aug. 26 with the fourth Gold Series leg for the three-year-old pacing fillies.
For complete results please go to Grand River Raceway Results