Doug McIntosh trainees sweep 2002 OSS opener

Semper Fi Hall and Ryan Hall, a pair of three-year-old trotting colts trained by Doug McIntosh of Wheatley, ON, swept the opening event of the 2002 Ontario Sires Stakes season at London's Western Fair Raceway tonight.

Racing in Gold eliminations that each carried a purse of $49,040, both colts were driven to victory by Trevor Ritchie for owner-breeder Walnut Hall Limited of Lexington, KY. Semper Fi Hall opted for a pocket trip behind Whitesand Titan who set fractions of :30.3, 1:02 and 1:32 over a track rated as "fast".

Ritchie steered Semper Fi Hall to a one and a quarter length win over Whitesand Titan and driver Howard Okusko in 2:02. Jetset Matt finished third for 2001 Lampman Cup champion Don McElroy. Y Chance It, M Rene Lavec, Rips Chance and Total Mayhem finished in that order.

Semper Fi Hall, winner of the $100,000 OSS Grassroots Championship for two-year-old trotting colts at Windsor Raceway last November, has earned $148,426 to date in his career.

Ryan Hall came from third at the head of the stretch to win his division by a length in 2:03.1 over Carrland Buddy (George Zirnis) and fraction-setter Creigmeister (Gord Rayner). Razzle Royale, Frosted Flakes, Abbey Road C and Scat King finished in that order. A winner in three of his eight starts as a two-year-old, Ryan Hall has won $65,012 lifetime. Both Semper Fi Hall and Ryan Hall are sons of Balanced Image.

The $130,000 Gold Final for the sophomore trotting colts will be held at Western Fair on Saturday, May 18.