Cameron Lucky paced her way to the fastest win of eight Grassroots divisions at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday evening, and local filly Dapple Apple tagged along to earn the second-place share of the $24,000

purse.

Driver Paul Mackenzie sent Cameron Lucky straight to the front from Post 2 and controlled all the fractions on her way to a commanding 1:55.3 victory. Starting alongside the pacesetter at Post 1, Dapple Apple and driver Anthony MacDonald sat second throughout the race and held off fan favourite Chappies Girl through the stretch to claim the runner-up spot. JJS Stables of Grand Valley, Ont. bred and owns Dapple Apple, and William Reda trains the three-year-old pacing filly, a winner of $18,625 this season.

Wednesday’s victory was Cameron Lucky’s first, coming on the heels of four straight second-place finishes. The Camluck miss, trained by Marie St. Charles for owner Michael Hale of Livonia, Michigan, now boasts a record of one win, five seconds and two thirds in 10 starts for earnings of $41,810. The outing was also Cameron Lucky’s first in provincial competition and propelled her into the thick of the Grassroots point race.

Currently leading the sophomore filly point race is Angel On The Wing, who earned her second Grassroots trophy of the season with a 1:56.3 effort in the last division on Wednesday. Starting from Post 4, Angel On The Wing was well off the pace when fan favourite Back Yard Baby reached the quarter pole in :28.

As Back Yard Baby continued to roll through a :57.1 half and 1:26.2 three-quarters, driver Nicholas Steward moved Angel On The Wing steadily forward on the outside. Turning for home the pair was just one length behind the pacesetter, and a late burst of speed propelled them to a three-quarter length victory. Pocket-sitter Synergy Seelster was also able to reel in Back Yard Baby.

Larry Fitzsimmons conditions Angel On The Wing for Linda Fitzsimmons of London, William Coward of Turkey Point, and Richard Dalby of Tillsonburg, Ont. In 18 starts this season the Bo Knows Jate daughter has accumulated seven wins, one second and four thirds for earnings of $50,389.

The first four Grassroots divisions also provided nail biting finishes, with the winner’s separated by less than a length at the wire. Wiskywisky Nancy O kicked things off in the first race with a three-quarter length victory over Lucky Taryn in 1:55.4. Lexi N Tookie rounded out the top three.

Wiskywisky Nancy O is trained by Brent Belore for owners Jean and James Caddey and Alana and Dylan Belore of Embro, Ont. The Mach Three miss and regular reinsman Mike Saftic have three wins, one second and one third to their credit through six starts this season.

The second division saw Just Artful edge out Smile Cam by one-quarter length in a 1:56.2 clocking. Bred, owned, trained and driven by Merlin, Ont. resident Gregory Drew, Just Artful now has three wins in five starts on her sophomore dance card. Playboy Mansion completed the triactor in the second Grassroots division, finished two lengths behind the dueling leaders.

Fan favourite Bunkhouse Babe eked out a half-length victory over her former Gold Series rival Stonebridge Damsel in the fourth race. Randy Waples urged the Royal Mattjesty daughter to a 1:56.2 win, her first in three sophomore starts, for trainer Bob McIntosh and owners Hutt Racing Stable of Paoli, Pennsylvania. Arthurs Diamond earned the third-place finisher’s share.

In Race 6 only one length separated the top four finishers, with Ground Shaker earning the three-quarter length decision over Ramadawn, Lyons Puddin Pie and modern Cinderella. Anthony Haughan piloted the Rambaran miss to the 1:56.4 win for trainer Randy Cudney and owner Colleen Sullivan of Milton, Ont.

The other two Grassroots divisions went to Mach Lady in 1:56.1 and Musical Maven in 1:56.3.

The three-year-old pacing fillies will make the third stop on their 2011 Grassroots tour at Georgian Downs on July 30. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement will return to Grand River Raceway on Monday, July 4 with Gold elimination action for the two-year-old trotting fillies.

In regular racing, Got The Munchies ($5.20) converted from the pocket and held off a quick-closing Racy Gal Hanover and track record holder Exquisite Alberta to win the $10,000 Preferred 2 Pace. Billy Davis Jr. drove the six-year-old Camluck-Landfair Caveat mare to victory in 1:54.4 for his father, trainer Bill Davis, and owners Jeffrey and Debbie Elchuk of Surrey, B.C. It was her third win in 12 starts this season.

For results from Wednesday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.

(With files from OSS)