Sunderland resident Murray Brethour landed two Grassroots trophies at Kawartha Downs on Thursday evening when three-year-old pacing fillies Jet Speed and Machet Rocket captured their respective divisions.

Jet Speed opened the Grassroots program with a 1:54.2 victory that saw her battle hard through the final quarter to secure a half length decision over challenger Hope For Paddy. Classy Lane Rose finished seven lengths back in third.

Brethour trains Jet Speed for David Heffering of Port Perry and Douglas Millard of Woodstock and Jason Brewer engineered Thursday’s victory. Through 13 starts this season the Jeremes Jet daughter now has four wins, one second and three thirds for earnings of $52,422.

Five races later Machet Rocket wrapped things up with an impressive seven length victory in 1:53.3. The fan favourite, in rein to Dan Clements, bested Driving Miss Deo and Taras Jet.

The win was the second straight in Grassroots action for Machet Rocket, who is owned by Brethour, Noblock Racing Stable of Collingwood and Fred Brayford of Alliston. The Mach Three daughter has posted a total of five wins, one second and one third in 13 starts, banking $46,688 for her owners.

Clements also picked up a win aboard Shawn Robinson trainee Legal Entity in the second Grassroots division. Legal Entity swept up the outside to claim the three length victory over Silky Britches and Phoenix Seelster, halting the teletimer at 1:53.4.

Robert Hamather of Exeter bred and owns Legal Entity, who started her sophomore campaign at the Gold Series level, scoring one second, one fifth and one sixth. Thursday’s win was the Modern Art daughter’s second in 13 starts this season.

Machleen recorded the quickest mile of the five Grassroots divisions, halting the Kawartha Downs teletimer at 1:53.1. The Mach Three lass and driver Trevor Henry finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Memumsnotnice and Bruisers Sister.

Fergus resident Mark Austin conditions Machleen for his partner Leo Thibodeau of Windsor. The filly was also a winner in the Grassroots season opener at Hanover Raceway on June 9.

The remaining Grassroots trophy went home with Jeremes Sweetheart, who eked out a quarter length win over Eat Me Up and Sauble Claire.

Jonathan Drury piloted Jeremes Sweetheart to her second Grassroots victory for trainer Casie Coleman and owners Steve Calhoun of Chatham and West Wins Stable of Cambridge. After dropping out of the Gold Series, the Jeremes Jet daughter scored a win in her July 27 Grassroots debut at Grand River Raceway.

The three-year-old pacing fillies have two regular season events remaining on their schedule, Sept. 2 at Flamboro Downs and Sept. 10 at Mohawk Racetrack. The top 16 point earners from the regular season earn a berth in the Grassroots Semifinals at Grand River Raceway on Sept. 19.

Thursday’s contest wrapped up Kawartha Downs’ 2012 Ontario Sires Stakes schedule, which saw three-year-old pacing filly Lyons Luck lower the track record winning her Gold Elimination on Aug. 2.

(OSS)

To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs.