Hanover Raceway was invaded by two-year-old pacing colts on Saturday, July 20 and the novices put on an impressive show in 10 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions.
Mount Forest resident Ryan Holliday helped local favourite Hunch Man find his way to the winner’s circle in the sixth race. Holliday and the Santanna Blue Chip son rolled up the outside to the two and three-quarter length win over Prince Clyde and Sancretariat in a sharp 1:56.4, one-fifth off the track record for male freshmen. Robert Poljanski trains Hunch Man for Jennifer Poljanski of Kenilworth and Shawn Lauzon of Orangeville. Saturday’s outing was the colt’s first.
Dropping down from the Gold Series, Boomboom Ballykeel, a son of Mach Three, also posted a 1:56.4 maiden-breaking win with Arthur resident Trevor Henry driving for Puslinch trainer Richard Moreau and owner/breeder Ballykeel Racing of Tillsonburg.
Driver Scott Coulter captured three of the divisions, piloting Cheeky Fool to a 1:57 score in the seventh race, Sword Ofthe Spirit to a 1:57.3 clocking in race nine and Alto Perro to a 1:57.1 win in the 12th race.
Cheeky Fool is now in sole control of top spot in the two-year-old pacing colt division standings, boasting a flawless record through the first three Grassroots events. Clifford Hill conditions the Western Maverick son for Joshua Wade Jamieson of Hagersville.
Saturday’s win was the first for Sword Ofthe Spirit, who is trained by Martin Lachance for owner-breeder Lomangino Standardbreds of New Jersey, and Alto Perro, who is owned and trained by Allen Tomlinson of Michigan.
Veteran reinsman Paul Mackenzie also picked up a pair of Grassroots wins, guiding Concert Artist to an eight length 1:57 win for Tony O’Sullivan and owner-breeder Emerald Highlands Farm of Ohio, and Landfair Nipper to a 1:59.4 score for trainer Ricky MacPhee of Cambridge and his partner Mike McHugh of Ingersoll.
Other winners were Shadow Place (1:58.1), Special Jackpot (1:59), and Warrior Call (1:59.2).
The two-year-old pacing colts make their fourth Grassroots start at Kawartha Downs on Aug. 24, while Hanover Raceway fans will be treated to Grassroots action from the two-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday, Aug. 17.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from OSS)