Royalty For Life gelding A Royal Line trotted the quickest mile of the three $18,800 divisions of Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots for two-year-old colt and gelding trotters at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday, Aug. 11, winning by four lengths in 2:00.4.
The Robert McIntosh trainee secured the lead from post seven and led through a :28.3 opening quarter. Zorgqijk Tim, parked from seventh, advanced as A Royal Line slowed to the half, timed in 1:00.4., and drew within three lengths of the leader when applying mild pressure by three-quarters in 1:30.4. A Royal Line opened his lead into the stretch, besting pocket-sitter Priceless Ruler with Rap Royalty, 2-1 favourite and from second over, taking third.
Owned by Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., Dave Boyle and Mardon Stables, A Royal Line, from the Balanced Image mare Direct Dial, won his second race from five starts, compiling $29,604 in earnings. Garrett Rooney piloted the $7.50 winner.
Royale Elite won going wire to wire in the first division in 2:02. The Mark Steacy-trained colt by Royalty For Life led through a :27.4 before slowing the tempo to the half in :59.1. Never Tell, from third, moved first over heading to the half and continued to pressure wide of Royale Elite by three-quarters in 1:30.2 before fading in the stretch. Cousin Peter, who trailed 22 lengths at the quarter, rushed to finish one-and-a-half lengths away from Royale Elite in second with Never Tell third.
Winning his second race in three starts, Royale Elite, owned by Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc., has collected $21,507 in earnings. Shawn Steacy sat behind the $10.00 winner.
Radical Roy also won going wire to wire, taking the final OSS division by two-and-a-half lengths in 2:01.2. Driver Steve Byron sent the Royalty For Life gelding to the front and led Warrawee Usain by two lengths through a :28.3 first quarter. Debt Collector, from third, tipped first over and matched strides with Warrawee Usain as Radical ROy trotted with separation to the half in 1:00.1. He maintained his margin to three-quarters in 1:30 and remained in front of Warrawee Usain taking second with Debt Collector holding third.
Paying $13.30 to win, Radical Roy, out of the Angus Hall mare Radical Janey, competes for owners Bax Stable, Don Allensen, Richard Gutnick and Peter Porter. John Bax conditions the maiden-breaking trotter who has earned $10,600 career.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.