After pulling a 26-1 upset in the opening preliminary of the Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold for sophomore pacing colts and geldings, Midnight Nation upended another heavy favourite when downing 1-9 choice Stockade Seelster in a $100,400 Gold division on Saturday night (July 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Midnight Nation got away last as Verdun led to a :26.3 first quarter. Stockade Seelster swooped towards the lead from fourth through a :54.3 half and continued to roll through the final turn to three-quarters in 1:22.2. Though, he relinquished the lead in the stretch when challenged by Macs Delight off the corner. Macs Delight took a slight lead as Verdun reengaged and Midnight Nation came barreling into action from last. With a :25.4 final quarter, Midnight Nation landed on the front at the finish by three-quarter lengths in a 1:49.3 mile with Verdun second, Macs Delight third and Stockade Seelster left in fourth.

“He was real good tonight,” said driver Trevor Henry. “They raced hard up front and we got to finish it off. I saw Stockade [Seelster] was struggling and the horse on the inside wasn’t making much ground. I was the only one making ground, so I knew I had a pretty good shot. [Last time in Gold] I drove him and got lucky to get up the rail. Tonight we had to race and he showed that he belongs.”

Richard Moreau conditions Midnight Nation for owners Shaun Vallee and D P V Racing Stable. He won his third race from 10 starts and has now banked $141,905. The Betterthancheddar gelding, who was bred by Princeton Farms, paid $29.70 to win.