Two-year-old trotting fillies invaded Hanover Raceway on Saturday night to face off in eight $24,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions, which were dominated by veteran reinsman Trevor Ritchie.
In the fifth race, Ritchie engineered an off-the-pace victory with Stormont Hotplate. The win came in the filly’s second lifetime start for trainer Kevin Benn as she swept from third to first in the stretch to trip the teletimer in 2:04.2.
Ritchie hurried back to the winner’s circle aboard Pegasus One for Chance Stewart in the sixth race. The rookie trotter wired the field to win her first lifetime start in 2:01.3, edging out local hopeful I Am Special.
The 56-year-old Acton, Ont. resident capped off his night with a win aboard Tymal Textme for William James. It was another wire-to-wire mile for Ritchie, who has long been known for his prowess with trotters. The two-year-old Angus Hall filly made the front and never looked back, winning in 2:02.
The fastest mile of the night belonged to Random Majority with Paul Walker in the race bike. A Balanced Image Trot eligible filly, Random Majority converted a perfect pocket trip, improving to two wins in two lifetime starts for trainer John Bax of Peterborough, Ont.
After the race, part-owner Matthew Bax remarked, “She’s a nice filly we got for just $11,000 at the Forest City sale. She trained down very well and she’s been a good surprise for us.”
When asked about the promising filly’s future, Bax said, “We might go back into the Grassroots at Dresden, or the Golds, but will likely be back to Hanover for the Balanced Image Trot eliminations in September.”
The win for Random Majority was just two-fifths of a second off the track record of 2:01 for two-year-old trotting fillies.
The other divisions were won by Warrawee Olay (2:06.3), Katla (2:03.2), Kascara Rosa (2:05.1), and Twin B Alibi (2:04.1).
Racing continues at Hanover next Thursday and Saturday at 7:15 p.m. Saturday August 28 will be the Dream of Glory eliminations. Eighty-eight three-year-old colt and filly trotters are eligible for the elims. The top eight will return on August 4 for the $100,000 final.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)