The Ontario Sires Stakes rolled into Rideau Carleton Raceway earlier this evening as two-year-old trotting colts and geldings rumbled in three Grassroots divisions, each carrying a purse of $20,000.

Vangogh Lavictoire needed every inch of racetrack to pull off a 6-1 mild upset in the opening split for trainer James Lamacchia and driver Rheo Filion, who teamed up for a 2:02.1 score with the son of Dr Ronerail.

The $8,000 purchase at last year's CESQ Yearling Sale used his off-the-pace skills to win by a nose over runner-up O Grady. Agusto, who set most of the pace, was third.

Luigi Di Campo of Montreal, Quebec holds the papers on the gelding, who has put together a 2-1-0 record in his first seven starts. His bankroll now stands at $27,265.

Dashing Earl rallied from out of the clouds to take the second division in a career-best clocking of 2:02.3 for the duo of trainer Keith Klages and driver Randy Fritz.

The son of Earl, who was sent off as the 6-5 favourite, defeated Senor Roberto and King Gus for owner/breeder Robert Key of Leechburg, Pennsylvania.

The colt owns a 2-2-2 record in seven starts. The $10,000 payday lifted his lifetime earnings to $41,328.

Matador Bo picked up the first win of his career thanks to his narrow score in the third affair for trainer Paul Buer and driver Tomas Dalborg.

The Striking Sahbra colt survived a first-over trip to win by a nose over Winning Decision in a time of 2:02.1. Northern Spirit rounded out the top three.

T W Wilhelmsen of Boca Raton, Florida holds the papers on the career winner of $30,750. He has constructed a 1-2-1 record in nine lifetime starts.

The top 16 point earners from the division will have the chance to square off in the pair of Grassroots semi-finals at Flamboro Downs on October 17.

The top four finishers from each of the semi-finals will have the chance to advance to the Grassroots final on October 24.

To view Thursday's results, click here.