Mattys Big Day cemented her lead atop the three-year-old pacing filly Grassroots ranks with a gate-to-wire 1:54.3 tour of Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday, Aug. 29.

With leading Rideau Carleton driver Denis St. Pierre in the race bike for a second straight start, favourite Mattys Big Day fired straight to the front from Post 7 and never saw a challenge, cruising home one and one-half lengths ahead of Shanghai Mimi and Cams Macharena.

St. Pierre crafted the Jeremes Jet daughter’s fourth Grassroots victory for trainer Corey Johnson and owners Debbie Element and Ecurie JGV Enrg of Laval, QC.

Driver Brad Forward captured the other two Grassroots divisions, piloting favourites Western Empress and Betit To Getit to 1:54 and 1:53.2 victories, respectively.

Windsor resident Bob McIntosh trains Western Empress for his partners Al McIntosh Holdings Inc of Leamington and Larry Pollard of Harrow. The partners also bred and raised the daughter of Western Maverick, who jumped into sixth spot in the standings with her second Grassroots victory.

Betit To Getit recorded the quickest mile of the three Grassroots divisions for trainer Ben Wallace and owners Holland Racing Stable of Aurora. The No Pan Intended daughter is now tied for third in the point race with Cams Macharena.

The three-year-old pacing fillies make their last regular season Grassroots start at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 9, while Rideau Carleton Raceway hosts the regular season finale for the three-year-old trotting colts next Thursday, Sept. 5.

(OSS)

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