Ontario’s talented two-year-old pacing fillies invaded Woodstock Raceway Friday afternoon for nine $24,000 Grassroots divisions.
Raise Your Glass kicked off the festivities with an impressive four length victory in 1:58.2. The filly led a sweep of the top three spots by Santanna Blue Chip offspring, being followed across the Woodstock finish line by Senorita Santanna, who is owned by trainer Carl Jamieson of Princeton, Thomas Kyron of Toronto and George Harrison of Preston, England, and Berthaandgertrude, who is owned by CJS Stables Inc. of London and Natalie Pentland of Dorchester.
Scott Zeron piloted Raise Your Glass to her second lifetime victory for trainer Anthony Monica of Howell, New Jersey and his partner Michael Timpano of Phelpston, Ont. The partners also bred the filly, who started her provincial campaign at the Gold Series level, finishing second in her June 28 Gold elimination at Mohawk Racetrack. Unfortunately, Raise Your Glass missed the July 6 Gold Final due to a bout of sickness.
The second Grassroots trophy went home with Shesbadtothebone, who controlled the race from start to finish, reaching the wire in 1:59.2. Local favourite Mary Celeste, owned by Stephen and Marilyn Gillard of Tavistock, finished one length back in second and Racey Miss was hot on her heels in third.
Trainer Joe Hudon piloted Shesbadtothebone to the win, the Badlands Hanover daughter’s first. Hudon shares ownership of the filly with his wife Karen Hudon, and both reside in Acton. The pair also bred Shesbadtothebone, who had finished second in both of her previous starts, including the July 1 Grassroots season opener at Mohawk Racetrack.
Local filly Regal Magic scored her first ever victory in the seventh Grassroots division. Trainer Lyle MacArthur piloted Dorchester resident Anne Shunock’s homebred to a four and one-quarter length victory over fan favourite Grey Zone and Expresso Yourself, halting the Woodstock teletimer at 1:59.3.
Regal Magic is a daughter of Stonebridge Regal and Remember The Magic. The filly finished fourth in her first provincial outing, the July 1 Grassroots season opener.
Driver Doug McNair captured the last two Grassroots divisions, steering Cherry Bliss to a win in the eighth race and Embassy Seelster to victory in the ninth.
McNair employed a come-from-behind strategy with Cherry Bliss, rolling her up the outside from the trailing Post 8 to steal a nose victory away from fan favourite Oldacreschilipepper. Foolish Mind was just one-half length behind the dueling leaders in the 2:00.3 mile.
The win was the Blissfull Hall daughter’s first in three starts and improves on the third-place finish she accomplished in the Grassroots season opener. Murray Brethour trains Cherry Bliss for Jerry Reinhart and Daniel Phillips of Batavia, New York.
In the ninth race McNair opted for a front end strategy with Embassy Seelster, who left smartly from Post 6. The Modern Art daughter clocked in at 1:59.4, one and one-quarter lengths ahead of favourite Keystone Maddie and Hazel Nut.
Guelph resident McNair piloted Embassy Seelster to the win for trainer Kelly Goodwin of Fowlerville, Michigan, who also owns the young pacer. Embassy Seelster, another filly who started her career at the Gold Series level, boosted her record to one win and two seconds in four starts with the win.
The other Grassroots trophies went home with Twilight Seelster in 1:59.1; Western Empress in 1:58.4; Nikitas Halo in 1:58.2; and Hippie Chic in 1:59.4.
The freshman pacing fillies make their third Grassroots start at Flamboro Downs on August 15, while Woodstock Raceway fans will be treated to the third Grassroots event on the two-year-old trotting colt calendar on August 3.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Woodstock Raceway.
(OSS)