Driver Chris Christoforou celebrated Canada Day with a trio of Ontario Sires Stakes victories during Clinton Raceway's 11-race program.
The Campbellville resident kicked off his win streak in the fourth $11,250 Grassroots division, guiding fan favourite Northern Matador to a comfortable one and three-quarter length victory in 2:03.4. The win was Northern Matador’s first and came in his eleventh lifetime start. Mark Steacy conditions the three-year-old trotting colt for Clarke Steacy of Gananoque, Landmark V Racing Stable of Kingston, Diane Bertrand of Edmonton, AB and Bridle Path Stables Ltd of Ossining, NY.
Christoforou was back in the winner’s circle after the next race, hitting the wire two and one-quarter lengths on top with Two Doors Down, who was clocked in 2:01.4. Trained by Gerard Demers for owner Robert Montgomery of Carp, Two Doors Down now has sole control of top spot in the three-year-old trotting colt point race with two straight Grassroots victories.
The reinsman completed the driving hat trick with another Demers trainee, Tag Up And Go, in the seventh Grassroots split. Tag Up And Go, owned by Lise Darveau of Cambridge and Andre Hebert of Papineauville, QC, halted the Clinton Raceway teletimer at 2:01.2.
The quickest mile of the eight Grassroots divisions was clocked by Scott Young and Hadrien Duharas, who simply dominated the third race field, hitting the wire nine and three-quarter lengths on top in 2:00. The outing was the Eric Cote trainee’s first this season and second lifetime. Haras De L Estrie Inc of Dunham, QC bred and owns Hadrien Duharas.
The other division winners were:
• Ale Ale Jandro (Amigo Hall-Andover Sylvie) 2:02 for trainer/driver Jim Tropea
• Lime Strike (Striking Sahbra-Dancin Falyn) 2:01.2 for driver Paul MacDonell and Clare Bradshaw
• Loco Caballo (Amigo Hall-Dream Cabernet) 2:02.2 for driver Bruce Richardson and trainer Blair Burgess
• Wanna Be Like Sim (Angus Hall-Trophy Bass) 2:00.3 for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Anthony Montini
The three-year-old trotting colts make their third Grassroots start at Grand River Raceway on July 19, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Clinton Raceway on Sunday, August 18 with Grassroots action for the two-year-old trotting colts.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Clinton Raceway.
(OSS)