Unstable Genius broke his maiden in his first career pari-mutuel start, winning the lone $150,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold Series Leg 1 event for 2-year-old trotting colts on Monday (July 6) in 1:54.2 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The victory, which came after a long technical delay caused by a mass network outage, put $75,000 on the card of the gelded son of Muscle Mass out of Pretty Crafty and pushed winning driver James MacDonald over $90 million in career earnings.
Sent off as the betting favourite 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. Grand Manalishi (Tyler Jones) took command before the :57.2 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, but Unstable Genius was got past 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 :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 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
A $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 $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 $100 million, and I remember just watching the greats when I was starting here, and seeing them get their signs for $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.”
Grassroots Results
On the Monday card at Woodbine Mohawk Park there were also four $30,000 Grassroots events for 2-year-old pacing fillies. The winners were:
- Rhymes With Regina (Cattlewash—Saskatoon) won her pari-mutuel debut in 1:53.2 for breeder/co-owner Aaron Waxman, co-owner and trainer John Pentland and co-owner Sherri Sumner and driver Bob McClure.
- Jersey Bulldog (Bulldog Hanover—Gallie Beach) broke her maiden with a 1:53.3 score for breeders Mark Mullen and Stephen Dey, owner/trainer John Pentland and his partners Sherri Sumner, Jack Darling Stables Ltd. and Alan Alber and driver Bob McClure. Jersey Bulldog was purchased for $40,000 U.S. at the 2025 Standardbred Horse Sales Company’s yearling sale in Harrisburg, PA.
- Lyons Bulldog (Bulldog Hanover—Ava Hanover) won her career pari-mutuel debut in 1:54 for breeder Vieux Carre Farms LLC, owner Threelyonsracing, trainer Dr. Ian Moore and driver Mark MacDonald. Lyons Bulldog was a $31,000 U.S. purchase at the 2025 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.
- Downtown Boogie (Cattlewash—Dance Until Dawn) won her career pari-mutuel debut in 1:55.3 for breeder Stephanie Smith-Rothaug, owners Mac Nichol and Kiwi Stables, trainer Dr. Ian Moore and driver Mark MacDonald. Downtown Boogie was a $150,000 U.S. purchase at the 2025 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.