Upgrade improved to five-for-five in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots series for three-year-old filly trotters with a 1:54.3 win in Leg 4B on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Sent off at 9-1 despite her dominance in the division, Upgrade raced third for Todd Ratchford through :27.4, :57 and 1:25.2 fractions and tipped out while rounding the final turn. She worked to wear down pacesetter Barbara May (Doug McNair) through the stretch and evaded the late surges of Hp Imagine (James MacDonald) and Twin B Showbiz (Tyler Borth). The former missed by a neck in second, with Twin B Showbiz third.
Upgrade has won six races from 16 starts this season after a winless eight-start rookie campaign. Matt Bax trains the daughter of Green Manalishi S-Uptown Classic, now with $113,524 in earnings, for Al Libfeld of Pickering, Ont. and Brad Grant of Milton, Ont. The filly paid $20.20 to win.
Miss Mass Appeal ($15) rolled to victory out of the pocket in the first division. The Muscle Mass-Miss Adam T filly stopped the clock in 1:56.1 for driver Doug McNair and trainer Gregg McNair.
A Splash Of Green ($12.20) motored uncovered out of fourth turning for home to capture the third split in 1:54.2. James MacDonald drove the Green Manalishi S-Allmar Victory filly for trainer Blake MacIntosh.
To view Thursday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Thursday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)