Eight OSS Grassroots divisions for two-year-old trotting fillies took up the better part of the program at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday evening, and Oaklea Samantha stole the show with a 1:58.4 performance
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With Terry Kerr at the lines of the Chris Beaver-trained daughter of Amigo Hall-Oaklea Lark, Oaklea Samantha took the field to the quarter pole in :28.1 before relinquishing the lead and sitting a pocket trip through the middle stages of the mile. She re-emerged from the garden spot in the lane and used a :29.1 final frame to post the 1:58.4 decision over Emmylou Who and Boots N Hearts.
The effort lowered the track record for two-year-old trotting fillies by one-fifth of a second. The previous mark of 1:59 was established in 2007 by Only Lonely, who also happened to be a Chris Beaver trainee.
Doug Millard of Woodstock, ON holds the papers on the fleet-footed freshman, who was a $22,000 purchase from last year’s Forest City Yearling Sale. She is now 1-for-2 to start her career.
Another filly that really turned heads on Thursday was Angostura, who used a :28.4 final quarter to propel herself to a 1:59.1 victory for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Dan Creighton. The daughter of Angus Hall-Peluso drew off to win by more than nine lengths in her maiden voyage over Our Angel Flight. Tyrone Showgirl was third.
Danterra Racing Stable of Strathroy, ON owns the youngster, who was a $30,000 purchase from last year’s Forest City Yearling Sale.
Angostura was one of three OSS winners on the card by sire Angus Hall. Daughters from the first crop of sire Ken Warkentin also captured three divisions.
The other divisional winners on Thursday were Velten Ladolcevita (2:00.3), Ipromisenottotell (2:00.4), Onehallofawoman (2:01.2), Your Word Is Good (2:01.4), Desi Seelster (2:03) and Random Destiny (2:03).
The next OSS Grassroots event for the two-year-old trotting fillies will take place at Hanover Raceway on September 5.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click here.