Father and son, trainer and driver teams combined to win the final two $18,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies Sunday afternoon at Clinton Raceway.
Both duos won their respective events with a daughter of Mach Three, the fastest of which was Wicked Speed. With Scott Young in the sulky for trainer, co-owner and dad Bob Young, the diminutive lass went gate-to-wire in :30, 1:00, 1:30.2 and stopped the clock in 1:59 over Brilliant Idea and Hurricane Trina.
The win was the second straight in as many lifetime starts for Wicked Speed, who made her debut in an overnight at Clinton last Sunday where she won by five lengths to earn $2,000. That effort, combined with today’s winnings, find the filly paid for as she cost $10,000 at last year’s Lexington Select Sale for Bob Young of Guelph, Ont. and partner Marsha Sugarman of Status Stables, Massachusetts.
Young noted that the filly’s price was likely as a result of her stature. “She’s grown quite a bit since we got her and I think she’ll grow more by the time she’s three. She has a big, powerful rear end on her. She wears a fairly long hopple, 57-1/2 inches and no boots.
“She’s done everything right from day one. She’s got tons of brains and likes her work,” he praised.
Doug McNair was at the lines for dad Gregg in the fourth division with Mach Denali, who managed to win by more than two lengths despite suffering interference just past the three-quarters when the lead filly made a break. Mach Denali was home in 2:01 over Jinglewriter and Ok Heartbeat.
Gregg McNair, also of Guelph, Ont., shares ownership of the filly with Tony Lawrence and William Brown of Hanover, Ont. and Paul Kidd from Guelph, Ont. This was the first lifetime win for the filly in three tries.
Doug McNair also piloted the fastest winner on this afternoon’s card, Katie Snoops, who tripped the timer in 1:58.4. Tony O’Sullivan trains the Sportswriter filly, a half-sister to $573,000 winner Dalhousie Dave, for owner/breeder John Fielding of Toronto.
The other two divisions were captured by Andrew McCabe trainee Stonebridge Quest (by Camluck) and Trevor Henry in 2:00.4 for owners Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Guelph-Eramosa, Ont. and Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont. and Chase The Shadows (by Shadow Play) with Ryan Holliday up in 1:59 for trainer Allen Tomlinson and Michigan owners Darwin and Ann Shaver and Laura Perniciaro.
The next Grassroots test for this group will be at Mohawk Racetrack on August 11.
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.
(With files from OSS)