Alimony Mike kicked off the third leg of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Friday, Aug. 9 at Kawartha Downs, winning the fastest of three $20,000 divisions in 1:58.2 for trainer/driver Dustin Jones.
Despire breakers on both sides leaving the gate, the 4-5 favourite Alimony Mike ($3.90) landed in the pocket unfazed and looped the leading Gaslight Hall in front of the grandstand the first time then held off that rival when the field came back around to win by half a length. The Bear A Cuda finished third after challenging first-over on the backstretch.
After testing Gold competition in leg two of the provincial program, Alimony Mike returned to the Grassroots Series where he had debuted a 1:57.1 winner in the July 12 first leg at Woodbine Mohawk Park. A gelded son of Royalty For Life and Color Me Pretty, the Dustin Jones Stables homebred is co-owned by Golden Bear Racing and Gestion C Levesque 2005inc.
Wendell Blue Chip ($7.70) also earned his second victory in the Grassroots Series, prevailing by a head over Stonebridge Praise in 1:59.2. Colin Kelly had the winning catch-drive on the Green Manalishi S-Aurova Hanover gelding for trainer Jared Bako.
The other division was won by Armstead Fireball ($3.40) and driver Samuel Fillion in 2:00.4. Chantal Mitchell trains the Muscle Mass-Magical Anna colt, who broke his maiden in his second start.
Fillion also drove trainer Scott McEneny's freshman trotter Bank On Lucas ($6.20) to a Prospect Series win, taking the lone $8,000 division in 2:01.2.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)