Century Lucifer battles back for OSS Gold score
MILTON, July 15, 2024 – Century Lucifer showed his determination again on Monday to win $140,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
An overflow field of 11 rookie male pacers competed in Monday’s second Gold leg of the OSS season. Opening leg winner Stonebridge Wizard went off as the even-money favourite, while the other first leg winner Century Lucifer went to the gate at odds of 6-1.
Century Lucifer and driver Tyler Borth shot out from post five to grab command, posting a :27.2 opening-quarter. After getting an easy :29.3 second-quarter, Century Lucifer ramped things up as Stonebridge Wizard moved first-up from third with Sterling Choice spotted on his back second-over.
After reaching three-quarters in 1:25.3, Century Lucifer was put under extreme pressure in the lane by Stonebridge Wizard and the far outside challenger Sterling Choice. Stonebridge Wizard appeared to edge ahead, but Century Lucifer dug in and fought back late to win by a head in 1:53.1.
Sterling Choice finished just three-quarters of a length back in third, while Fifth And Five was fourth.
A son of Shadow Play, Century Lucifer is trained by Rene Dion and has now won two in a row at the Gold level. His win on July 5 was a game effort, making multiple moves without any rest and winning by a neck.
“I like him better off a helmet and they had asked me if I could be off a helmet tonight, but just the way the rest set up and had the middle of the gate,” said Borth about the trip for Century Lucifer. “They were actually ahead of me down the lane and my guy fought back on and dug in and beat them…
“I just think he kind of waits on them on the front. He wears a blind bridle and when he could see (Stonebridge Wizard) in front of him I could feel him kick back into gear and I thought we had a shot.”
A $25,000 Lexington Select Yearling purchase, Century Lucifer is owned by S&R Racing Stable, Marc Trudeau, SMS Ventures and M And L of Delaware. He’s now earned $119,420 in three starts. The time of 1:53.1 was a new career best.
Century Lucifer paid $14.70 to win.
OSS Gold action continues Tuesday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park with two divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies. Post time is 7:10 p.m.
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Mark McKelvie