The path to the winner’s circle at Hiawatha Horse Park was not smooth for two-year-old trotting colt Daylon Magician, but once he arrived the view was sparkling

as the youngster recorded the fastest mile of four Grassroots divisions.

Starting from Post 1 with veteran reinsman Dave “Mr. OSS” Wall in the race bike, Daylon Magician sat third through the opening fractions of :28.1 and :59. Heading for the 1:29.4 three-quarters Wall tipped the novice trotter to the outside and Daylon Magician skipped off stride. Fortunately, the colt recovered quickly and was able to trot down the stretch to a 2:01.1 victory. Bob From Brussels suffered early interference and made a mistake of his own, but was able to reel in the field and grab the runner-up share of the $24,000 Grassroots purse. Starlitestarbrite rounded out the top three.

Dave Lemon of Komoka bred, owns and trains Daylon Magician, who is a half brother to $329,941 winner Daylon Mystique.

Daylon Magician was not the only Grassroots colt Wall guided to the winner’s circle on Thursday. The Komoka, ON resident also engineered a front end victory for Heshoots Hescores in the first division.

Accelerating away from Post 4, Heshoots Hescores rang up factions of :29, 1:01.3 and 1:32.1 without facing a challenge and sailed under the wire seven and a half lengths on top in 2:03. Parkhill Horton was a distant second, with Herecomesthechief four more lengths back in third.

Scott McEneny trains Heshoots Hescores for his wife Michelle McEneny of Waterdown, ON and John Fielding of Toronto, ON. The homebred son of Angus Hall is the fourth foal from their mare Taylor Seelster, and calls $126,386 winner Kilted Pride his brother.

The second division went to Stephen Byron and Tymal Lennon, who were also effortless front end winners in 2:02.4. Frenchman trailed along into second, six and one-quarter lengths behind the leader, while fan favourite P C La Mousse settled for third.

Peterborough resident John Bax trains Tymal Lennon for his partners Groundswell Stable of Sharon, ON and Gordon Mason of Orangeville, ON. A $20,000 purchase from the Forest City Yearling Sale, Striking Sahbra son Tymal Lennon seems to have found his stride after making breaks in his first two qualifying attempts.

Trainer-driver Joe Hudon piloted Idle Time to victory in the other Grassroots split. The pair clocked the opening quarter in :30 before handing the lead over to Mr Joe Sixpack, who rolled along to a 1:01.2 half and a 1:31.4 three-quarters before re-gifting the lead to Idle Time. A smart finishing kick propelled the colt down the stretch to a four and three-quarter length victory in 2:02.1. Traverse Seelster followed Idle Time along the rail into second, while Frill Seeker toured up the outside into third.

Hudon shares ownership on Idle Time with R A W Equine of Burlington, ON and Herbert Boggs of Duncan, BC. The Acton, ON resident and his partners offered up $55,000 for the son of Angus Hall and Nowhere Fast at the 2009 Harrisburg Yearling Sale.

The two-year-old trotting colts will make their second Grassroots start at Sudbury Downs on August 1, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday, July 29 when the lightning fast three-year-old pacing colts bring their Grassroots rivalry to the Sarnia oval.

(O.S.S.)

To view Thursday’s results, click here.