Grassroots Galore At Grand River

Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings were in the spotlight Monday evening at Grand River Raceway, as the Elora, Ontario half-miler hosted six OSS Grassroots divisions.

Aventure won as he pleased in his $18,000 tilt for the team of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Bill Budd. The gelding took over the lead at the three-quarter pole and drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Oliver Slik in 1:58. Third prize went to Massacaia.

Orville Rursch of Taylor Ridge, Illinois owns the son of Muscle Mass-Linas Lottery, who improved his 2014 record to 5-2-3 from 14 starts with the victory. The $9,000 payday lifted his lifetime earnings to $111,698.

R Choochoo Charlie gave sire Muscle Mass back-to-back stakes winners on the card thanks to his 1:57.3 score in the second division. Phil Hudon guided the Mark Steacy pupil to the 1:57.3 victory in come-from-behind fashion over Stonebridge Rich and Redemption Road.

The homebred colt, out of the mare, Great Expectations, is owned by Tom and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, Ontario. The victory was the second of the season – and the fourth to date – for the career winner of $53,054.

Hetties Commander went to the top and kept on rolling en route to posting a 1:58.3 triumph in the third division. In rein to Bruce Richardson, the gelding laid down fractions of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:28 before coasting home in :30.3 to win by 2-1/4 lengths over Windsun Cobra. Massive Pockets nabbed the show dough.

Trainer Mike Rivest co-owns the son of The Pres-Hetties Dream with Gary Silliphant of Simcoe and Denis Rivest of Palgrave, Ontario. The partners watched the trotter improve this year’s record to 2-3-1 from 13 trips to the track, and they watched the trotter bump his overall earnings to $35,874 with the win.

Me The Boss took advantage of a break in the stretch by heavily-favoured Totally Ripped en route to capturing his OSS assignment in 1:59.1. Scott Coulter worked out a covered-up trip for the colt, who powered home in :29.3 to win in 1:59.1. Totally Ripped was second-placed-seventh for failing to continuously lose ground while off stride in the stretch. Third-placed second was Yoooukilis, with Razor Ramone fourth-placed-third.

The son of Keystone Nordic-Caterinno has reeled off three straight starts since finishing fourth in his pari-mutuel debut for trainer Steve Charlton. The colt has banked $14,596 to date for Larocque Racing Stb Inc of Thornhill, Ontario.

Warrawee Promesse was hammered down to be the 1-5 favourite in the fifth division, and the gelding didn’t let down his army of pari-mutuel supporters. The son of Windsong Espoir-Warrawee Indy rolled to the lead from Post 2 and carved out fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28.2 before using a :29-second kicker to win by 3-1/2 lengths over Striking Hurricane in 1:57.2. Enthusiast was a distant third.

Trainer/driver Wayne Henry watched the six-time winner win for the fourth time in eight trips postward this season with the win. Henry Stable of Arthur and Fred Brayford of Alliston, Ontario share ownership on the career winner of $83,490.

Warrawee Preferred knocked off race favourite Tymal Showman in the final division. The son of Federal Flex-Warrawee Kate was sixth at the mid-way point and third at the three-quarter pole before sweeping by the final two foes in the closing strides en route to posting the win by three-quarters of a length over Tymal Showman in 2:01.3. Passed Dat Point doled out fractions of :29, :59 and 1:30.1 before tiring and fading to finish third.

Trainer/driver Per Henriksen mapped out the winning trip for the homebred gelding, who is owned by Dr. Michael Wilson of Rockwood, Darryl Drain of Tweed and ASA Farm of Norwood, Ontario. After going 0-for-6 as a rookie, Warrawee Preferred won for the third time in 13 starts this season. The lion’s share of the purse lifted his earnings to $27,539.

To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.

Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.