Three-year-old trotting colts and geldings shipped to Sudbury Downs on Wednesday evening as the half-mile oval hosted four divisions of OSS Grassroots action
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Oaklea Rico had a homefield advantage in the first division, and he disappoint his hometown backers. The son of Striking Sahbra-Ob La Da sat a pocket trip for most of the mile before edging off the rail and driving away to win by three lengths in a career-best clocking of 1:59.1 for trainer/driver Wayne MacLean. Stanley Normand and Kilted Pride finished in a dead heat for the place award.
Jocelyn Menard of Chelmsford, ON holds the papers on the gelding, who picked up his first stakes win. The career winner of $28,992 has put together a 3-5-1 record in 16 starts after going unraced as a rookie.
Agusto romped to a five-length score in the second division, and in doing so he extended his win streak to four-in-a-row for trainer John Bax. Steve Byron rolled the son of Angus Hall-Flying Dove Café through panels of :29.2, 1:00 and 1:30 before tacking on a :29.2 final frame for good measure. Mor Speed was next best and Fast As You took home the show dough.
Bob Anderson of St. Thomas shares ownership on the seven-time winner with Gwendolyn and Ronald Bowman of Nobel, ON. The gelding, who owns a 6-2-1 record from 14 trips postward this season, has stashed away $114,460 to date.
Future Bernie celebrated a maiden-breaking win in his division for the duo of driver Ross Battin and trainer Bob McIntosh. The homebred son of Berndt Hanover-Rosy Future, who is owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor, ON and C S X Stables of Liberty Center, OH, survived a first-over journey to win in 2:02.2 over Toledo Seelster and Mapleson.
The gelding, who upped his lifetime earnings to $19,940 with the win, now owns a 1-1-2 record in nine starts. He was unraced as a rookie.
Bacio Hanover used front-stepping tactics to take the final division in a time of 1:59.3 for trainer/driver Per Henriksen. The son of Kadabra-Betrayed By A Kiss whacked out fractions of :29.2, :59.1 and 1:30.2 before kicking home in :29.1 to seal the deal. Pembrook Street was second best and PC Troubador rounded out the top three.
Herbert Sopenoff of Long Beach, NY and Asa Farm of Norwood, ON share ownership on the gelding, who owns a flashy 6-2-1 record from just 13 trips to the starting gate this season. He has banked more than $55,000 in his career.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click here.