Ontario’s talented three-year-old trotting fillies are back in Grassroots action on Sunday afternoon at Dresden Raceway, and four of the contenders will be aiming to extend a two-race unbeaten streak in the provincial program
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“There’s some nice fillies. When they get them all together, they’re a pretty good bunch,” said Wheatley, Ont. resident Doug McIntosh, who trains repeat winner Lady Is A Pirate for his partner Henry Svec of Blenheim.
The homebred daughter of Mutineer and Self Secure posted a 2:01.4 victory in the May 20 Grassroots season opener at Western Fair Raceway, and then followed it up with a 2:01.1 effort in the second round at Flamboro Downs last weekend. In total, through 10 sophomore starts, Lady Is A Pirate has accumulated five wins and one third for earnings of $35,725.
“She’s… I wouldn’t say she’s a great filly, but she’s a nice filly,” McIntosh said. “She’s just a nice filly, and she’s done her job, and she goes to work wanting to win.”
After suffering an injury early in her two-year-old season, Lady Is A Pirate loafed in a field while many of her peers started their Ontario Sires Stakes careers. Once she returned to regular work the filly demonstrated some ability, and McIntosh sent her behind the starting gate for the first time in late November 2010. Lady Is A Pirate earned two wins and one third in her four freshman outings and raced regularly until mid-January when McIntosh gave her a three-month vacation. The filly returned to regular competition in mid-April, and she is set to enjoy another brief holiday between Sunday’s skirmish and the fourth Grassroots event at Georgian Downs on August 9.
“After this they get a little break, and I’d like to get enough points that I don’t have to travel to Rideau,” explained McIntosh, who was referring to the last regular season event at Rideau Carleton Raceway on September 9.
“Overall we’re very pleased with her so far, the secret is to keep her good,” he added. “The final is earlier this year, it will come around quick.”
The top 16 point earners at the end of the regular season will advance to the Grassroots Semifinals at Mohawk Racetrack on September 24, with the top eight then competing in the $100,000 Grassroots Championship on October 1.
Lady Is A Pirate and regular reinsman Trevor Ritchie will try and earn a few more points toward a post-season berth from the trailing Post 8 in the second $24,000 division on Sunday, and McIntosh is crossing his fingers that Last Chance Babie — who is currently ranked 19th in the standings — steps away smartly from Post 1.
“You’re kind of at the mercy of what happens in front of you,” noted the horseman, who added that Ritchie’s capable presence in the race bike provides a sizeable degree of reassurance.
Mutinys Child, Harlow Seelster and Magic Wheel are the other three fillies with flawless Grassroots records, and at least one of them will not be able to boast of that accomplishment after Sunday. Last year’s Grassroots Champion, Magic Wheel, will start from Post 3 in the fifth race, but Harlow Seelster and Mutinys Child will match wits from Posts 1 and 2 in Race 7.
“It’s pretty competitive,” emphasized McIntosh. “I think there’s about six fillies that are really good.”
Post time for the first race at Dresden Raceway on Sunday is 1:00 p.m., with the three-year-old trotting fillies leading the parade of horses onto the half-mile oval. The fillies will also battle in Races 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11.
To view entries for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Dresden Raceway.
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