Millar Farms homebred Savethelastdance uncorked a wicked final quarter on debut to win the first of five second-preliminary Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday night (July 16) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver James MacDonald settled in seventh with Savethelastdance while Rose Run Yanna rolled to the lead after a :26.4 first quarter. Slowing the tempo to a :57 half, Rose Run Yanna soon started to backtrack when challenged by Sunburnt to the final turn as she towed a line of horses into contention. Savethelastdance followed cover from third over to three-quarters in 1:27.2 and edged off a helmet to chase down late leader Carla Cam coming for home. With a :27 last quarter, Savethelastdance widened her lead on Carla Cam to cross the beam 2-1/2 lengths better with Prove Em Wrong rallying for third and Western Flames finishing fourth.
Nick Gallucci trains Savethelastdance, a filly by Bettors Delight. She returned $3.60 to win in her debut.
Bala circled to the lead after the quarter and maintained the lead right to the finish to win in 1:54.2. Driver Doug McNair swung the Sportswriter filly from the pocket following a :27.3 first quarter to then lead the field to a :57.3 half. Grandeur Seelster, the 8-5 favourite, pressed first over to three-quarters in 1:26.2 and ranged to match strides with the pacesetter coming for home. Bala battled back to the inside as Grandeur Seelster tried to get by but ultimately came a neck short of victory at the line. Best Show closed to take third from No Soup Tonight another five lengths behind the top two.
Peter Brickman conditions Bala for owner Erin Swainson Brickman. She won in her second start and paid $20.20 to win.
St Lads Dark Angel went a similar trip in winning the third OSS Grassroots division, but finished with a more decisive margin. Sitting second by a :27.1 first quarter, driver Bob McClure motored St Lads Dark Angel to the lead and posted splits of :56.2 and 1:26.3. Turning away a first-over push from Illusion Seelster around the final turn, the John Pentland trainee then powered away to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:54.2 over Mighty Mary closing for second. Wifey Said So rallied for third and Dance With Tabby took fourth.
Malcolm and Bradley MacPhail own St Lads Dark Angel, a filly by Control The Moment. She won on debut and paid $14.10 to win.
Doug McNair visited the winner's circle in Grassroots competition again after the fourth division, reeling in rivals with Shake It Twice to win in 1:55. The Sportswriter filly raced fourth to a :29 first quarter before brushing to the lead and then yielding command to Blue Glamber by a :58.4 half. Cruising covered through a sprint to three-quarters, timed in 1:26.3, Shake It Twice emerged from the pocket coming for home and had enough in reserve to withstand a late charge from Controlthedistance by a neck. D A Temptation took third and Blue Glamber faded to fourth.
Gregg McNair trains Shake It Twice for owners John Fleischman and Georges Groulx Jr. She paid $4.20 to win in breaking her maiden at second asking.
The last Grassroots division went to Glenboro as the odds-on choice grabbed the lead and coasted to a 1:55 mile. Driver Travis Cullen took the lead with his All Bets Off homebred to a :28 first quarter, strode through middle fractions of :57.2 and 1:26.4 and kicked for home to win in hand by 3-1/2 lengths over Uncontrolled closing for second. One Last Wish rallied for third and Hurrikane Msrodine faded to fourth.
Jodie Cullen trains Glenboro. She won her first race from three starts and paid $3.50 to win.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.