Two-year-old trotting fillies of the OSS Grassroots program made their way to Kawartha Downs on Tuesday, and in many cases it was 'do or die time' in order to advance to this year’s Grassroots Semi-Finals
.
Sylvain Filion guided the Richard Moreau-trained Now Kronos to a 2:03.1 score in the first of the four $24,000 divisions. The daughter of Ken Warkentin-Luck Of The Day survived a first over journey en route to posting a quarter-length triumph over the even-money favourite, Pretty Amigo. Daylon Mission rounded out the top three.
Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme of Knowlton, QC owns the career winner of $27,450, who improved her 2009 record to 2-1-1 in seven attempts in the process. She started the day with 55 points and was ranked 25th in the standings. Her vaulted her up the leaderboard and earned her a berth into the Semi-Finals.
The next division went to Photogenic Filly, who went 3-for-6 in the OSS Grassroots program this season for trainer/driver Ron Waples. The Malabar Maple-Putin On The Ritz miss sat a pocket trip for the majority of the mile before shaking loose and driving off to a three-length score in a career-best clocking of 2:01.4. Boots N Hearts was next best and Taco grabbed the show dough.
The Waples Stables Inc.’s homebred now boasts a 3-0-2 record in six lifetime starts. She has put away more than $41,000 in earnings to date.
Not even an early break in stride could derail Ipromisenottotell, who regained her composure and rallied for a 2:00.4 tally in the third division for her trainer/driver Joe Hudon. The daughter of Angus Hall-Imagine My Pride, who is now 3-for-7 in her rookie campaign, prevailed by three-quarters of a length over Excellence. Striking Bella finished third.
R A W Equine Inc. of Milton, ON owns the filly, who went 3-for-3 in the OSS Grassroots this season. She’ll head to the Grassroots Semi-Finals looking to add to a bankroll that sits at $38,400.
The fastest divisional winner was Northern Kitti, who stopped the clock in 1:59.4 for the tandem of driver Dave “Mr. OSS” Wall and trainer Dan Creighton. It was a personal best for the daughter of Kadabra-Northern Fuchsia, who chopped out panels of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:30.3 before finishing off her foes with a :29.1 final frame. Race favourite Kenu Dance rallied to finish second and Your Word Is Good was third.
Purchased for $50,000 at last year’s Forest City Yearling Sale, the youngster has banked $31,310 for Danterra Racing Stable of Strathroy, ON. The filly now owns a 2-1-2 record in five trips postward.
The top 16 point earners in the OSS Grassroots program will make their to Rideau Carleton Raceway for the OSS Grassroots Semi-Finals on October 23 at Rideau Carleton Raceway. The top four finishers from each of those tilts will advance to the $100,000 finals at that venue on November 1.
To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click here.