The opening leg of the Ontario-Sired Autumn Series for two- and three-year-old male trotters kicked off at Flamboro Downs on Saturday, Oct. 12, with first lifetime victories taking centre stage.
Nickel And Dime ($3.90) emerged as the favourite in the first $8,500 division. Driven by Matt Bax, the son of Resolve out of Parkhill Nocredit, surged from post three to capture his maiden win in a lifetime-best 2:01.4. Wheelin N Stealin, driven by George Ketros, finished just over a length behind, while LMC Little Chips, with Oat Hudon, secured third place. Owned and bred by Bax Stable of Campbellville and Marshall Bax of Hamilton, Ont., Nickel And Dime now holds a 1-1-0 record from nine starts and has earned $13,955 in purses.
In the second division, Overend ($7.70) also captured his first career win. Brett MacDonald piloted the 5-2 second choice, positioning him behind My Sweet MVP (J Harris) through the opening quarter of :30.1. After attempting to take the lead but being forced back into the pocket, Overend made his final move in the stretch, overtaking My Sweet MVP to win in 2:02. My Sweet MVP finished 1-3/4 lengths back, with Road Promises (Mike Horner) taking third. Bred and owned by Nick Malcolm of Milton, Ont., Overend, a son of Kadabra and Ultimate Cameron, now boasts a 1-1-0 record from nine starts with $7,475 in earnings.
The Autumn Series, for Ontario-sired male trotters with lifetime earnings under $10,000 as of September 30, 2024, continues at Flamboro next week, culminating in the $20,000A final on Oct. 26.