Fillies Flaunt Skills In Grassroots
Trotting fillies of the three-year-old variety made the trek to Campbellville on Thursday evening as Woodbine Mohawk Park hosted three O.S.S. Grassroots divisions.
Magical Glider was a popular winner in the opening split for the tandem of driver Chris Christoforou and trainer Dustin Jones.
Christoforou got away sixth with his charge while Princess Stephanie fired to the top and sped the field to the quarter pole in :28.4. Sheza Chunkymonkey pocket-popped going into the backstretch, and she cleared and then set the opening half in :59.3. Magical Glider edged off the rail in the backstretch and quickly got into gear on the rim. Sheza Chunkymonkey was still on top at the three-quarter marker in 1:30.2, but Magical Glider was second and driving on the outside. Magical Glider then used a :29-second final frame to win by three lengths over Princess Stephanie in 1:59.3. Kant Afford It was third.
Andrea Lea Racingstables Inc of Lakefield Gore, QC owns the daughter of Glidemaster-Serenas Genie who was unraced as a rookie. She now owns a 1-1-0 record from two tries and her lifetime earnings stand at $13,250.
Stpattysday pulled off a 34-1 stunner in the second division thanks to her last-to-first triumph in 1:59.1.
Mario Baillargeon manufactured the victory for trainer Sylvain Cote, who watched the lightly-raced lass at the back of the bus for most of the mile. Melanie G battled with Zorgwijk Sophia to the opening quarter in :28.3 before Zorgwijk Sophia got that foe seated up. Zorgwijk Sophia was sent through middle splits of :58 and 1:28, but she couldn’t seal the deal. Still last at the three-quarter pole, Stpattysday kicked into gear and fired home in :28.3 to win by a neck over race favourite Zorgwijk Sophia in 1:59.1. Galary Girl was third.
Sylvain Cote, Les Ecuries St-Thomas Inc and Laurent Daviault share ownership on the daughter of Majestic Son-Filly Hotspur, who was making just the second start of her career. Pulling off the 34-1 upset boosted her bankroll to $9,925.
Stormont Chef and her connections couldn’t have been pleased when the draw was completed and she was doled out Post 10, but it all worked out anyway as the homebred swept up late and posted a career-best decision for trainer Kevin Benn and driver Phil Hudon.
The sophomore got away next to last in the field of 11 while even-money favourite Ezee Tiguan shot to the lead and carved out fractions of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:27.2. Hudon had Stormont Chef on the move going to the half, and after sitting ninth at the point he was eighth and three-wide at the three-quarter pole. The gelding then used a :28.2 closing quarter to win by a head over Ezee Tiguan in 1:57.2. Uvie Hanover was a lapped-on third.
Stormont Meadows of Long Sault, Ont. bred and owns the daughter of Angus Hall-Stormont Fried. The victory was her second of the season from four tries, and the lion’s share of the $19,850 purse lifted her lifetime earnings to $28,325.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.