Reigning Lampman Cup winner James MacDonald added a pair of Grassroots victories to his Ontario Sires Stakes record amid a five-win performance on Friday night (Aug. 12) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
MacDonald, who currently leads all drivers in Canada with 251 victories on the year, worked out the winning trips behind defending Grassroots divisional champion Armstead Cole and Renegade Gypsy in the third leg of the provincial series for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
Rebounding from a miscue in the Dream Of Glory Trot, 7-5 favourite Armstead Cole ($4.80) was back in the Grassroots spotlight after taking his $22,600 division on Friday night in 1:56.2. MacDonald moved the Johnny William-Gracious Marla gelding to the lead after the first quarter and the sophomore cruised to his second Grassroots victory of the season, finishing 2-1/4 lengths in front of Tuxedo Attire and Marvin Hagler. Chantal Mitchell trains the winner for owners James Armitage of Dunrobin, Ont., Grant Watson of Ottawa, Ont., Sheryl McDiarmid of Greely, Ont., and Dr. Roland Armitage of Dunrobin, Ont.
Renegade Gypsy ($9.40) hauled down Dream Of Glory champion Sea Can to win his division by 1-3/4 lengths in a career-best clocking of 1:55 flat, with even-money favourite Mr Fritter third. MacDonald drove the Archangel-Sea Gypsy gelding, who is now a two-time Grassroots winner this season, for trainer Mario Baillargeon and Thestable Renegade Gypsy of Guelph, Ont.
Driven by Bob McClure, Star Power Hanover ($12.90) also picked up his second Grassroots trophy of the season, winning the fastest division of the night in 1:54.4 by 2-1/2 lengths over 6-5 favourite Red Overbach and Kipper Whipr Snipr. Luc Blais trains the Wheeling N Dealin-Star Hanover gelding for Determination of Montreal, Que.
The other split went to the Bill Budd-trained Feel The Force ($6.90) and driver Trevor Henry in a lifetime best 1:55.1. Owned by Frank Lamacchia of St. George and Tony Miceli of Mississauga, Ont., the Resolve-Serenas Genie gelding bested even-money choice Drinks At Home by one length, with Resolute Bay third.
The sophomore trotters will return to Mohawk on Aug. 22 for the fourth leg of the Grassroots.
MacDonald also picked up a win with Raptors Won ($17.40) for trainer Nick Gallucci then Sake Tumi ($18.40) for Richard Moreau and Pop-Up Trotting Series division winner Yes ($3.50) for Jason McGinnis to sweep the late Daily Double.
The other $12,500 Pop-Up divisions went to the Rene Dion-trained Mystic ($36.80) in 1:56.1 with Chris Christoforou in the bike and Shes Got Pizazz ($10.40), who made it three wins in a row in the series with a 1:55.1 score for driver Paul MacDonell and trainer Alan Fair.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.