As the temperature sailed into the 30s, the three-year-old trotting fillies set a steamy pace in Grassroots action at Clinton Raceway on Sunday afternoon
.
Canada Cool opened the matinee event — which featured eight $24,000 Grassroots divisions and the $57,400 Kin Pace Final — with a smashing front end performance that saw her shave one-fifth of a second off the three-year-old trotting filly track record.
In rein to trainer Mark Steacy, Canada Cool fired to the front from Post 5 and led the field through fractions of :30.1, 1:00.3 and 1:31.1 on her way to the 2:00.4 clocking. R Madeline sat second throughout the mile and cruised under the wire one and a half lengths behind Canada Cool, with Princess Nahanni another length back in third.
Steacy trains the Angus Hall miss for Katherine Steacy of Lansdowne, ON, David Reid of Glenburnie, ON, Dr. Malcolm Man Son Hing of Campbell River, BC and Joe Loring of Canmore, AB. A Grassroots Semifinal winner at two, in a track record mile at Rideau Carleton Raceway, Canada Cool had not found the winner’s circle in four starts this season before Sunday’s triumph.
Seven races later Canada Cool was forced to share the spotlight when Tommi My Girl rocked across the finish line five lengths ahead of her peers in a matching 2:00.4. Like Canada Cool, Tommi My Girl started from Post 5, but trainer-driver Kelly Sheppard waited until the field had reached the halfway marker to put the Ken Warkentin daughter on the front end. From there it was smooth sailing for the filly, who has been almost flawless this season, recording five wins in six starts for earnings of $48,335. Sheppard conditions Tommi My Girl for Sea Of Green Inc. of Dundas, ON.
Rebelious Royalty led for the first half of the race, but had to settle for second, while Flaming Hot was another seven lengths to the rear in third.
Tommi My Girl was the only Grassroots competitor to use a come from behind strategy on Sunday, as the Clinton oval heavily favoured front end speed.
Former Gold Final winner Wilsonator recorded her second straight Grassroots victory in the eleventh race, delivering a commanding performance from the outside Post 7. Driver Scott Zeron fired the Kadabra daughter to the front and the pair rolled through fractions of :29.3, 1:00.1 and 1:31.1 before sailing under the wire five and one-quarter lengths ahead of Northern Gem in 2:01. Tymal Yoko was advanced from fifth to third due to racing violations by fillies finishing ahead of her.
Rob Fellows trains Wilsonator for owner-breeders Edward Wilson of Seagrave, ON and Michael Pozefsky of Gloversville, NY Through five starts this season the filly has posted three wins and banked $44,000.
Madencanadamatters and Oaklea Sierra treated Clinton fans to a thrilling performance in the third $24,000 Grassroots division, battling tooth and nail through the last half of the race to a neck decision in 2:01.3. Pacesetter Madencanadamatters prevailed for her second win over the Clinton oval this season, leaving Oaklea Sierra to settle for second, and fan favourite Isthatallyagot watching the battle from third.
Doug Millard of Woodstock, ON and Jerry Van Boekel of Bright, ON bred and own Madencanadamatters, a Striking Sahbra daughter who has been a model of consistency this season, posting two wins, two seconds, one third and one fifth in six starts for earnings of $27,030.
The other Grassroots divisions went to:
The three-year-old trotting fillies will renew their Grassroots rivalry at Sudbury Downs on Aug. 11.
Grassroots regular Lucky Jeans captured the Kin Pace Final with an outstanding effort that saw her circle out three-wide at the three-quarters to grab control of the pace, then sail home to a two and a half length victory over Twin B Sensual and Holly Berry in 1:57. Windsor, ON resident Bob McIntosh trains the Camluck miss for his longtime partners C S X Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The talented homebred currently sits second in the three-year-old pacing filly Grassroots standings with a win at Flamboro Downs on June 19 and a second in the season opener at Dresden Raceway on June 6.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Clinton Raceway on Sunday, July 18 when the two-year-old pacing colts will make their highly anticipated Grassroots debut.
(O.S.S.)
To view Sunday’s results, click here.