Freshman trotting colt Zorgwijk Knight scored his second straight Grassroots victory with a 2:04.2 triumph at Sudbury Downs on Sunday
afternoon.
Starting from Post 4 in the second $24,000 Grassroots division, the Armbro Ricochet son led the field from gate to wire, posting fractions of :30.4, 1:03.2 and 1:34.3. Doug Bowins piloted Zorgwijk Knight to the win, reaching the wire one length ahead of Warrawee Leader and Commander K.
With two victories in Grassroots action, Zorgwijk Knight has established an early lead in the race for a post season berth. The top 16 point earners through the six event regular season will compete in a pair of Grassroots Semifinals at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Oct. 23, with the top eight returning to the Ottawa oval on Nov. 1 for the $100,000 Grassroots Championship.
In addition to his Grassroots victories, the colt also posted a fifth-place finish in overnight action at Flamboro Downs on July 3, banking a total of $24,280 through three starts for owners Tracey Curran of Burlington and Bob Curran of Smiths Falls. Blake Curran trains Zorgwijk Knight, who was a $3,500 yearling purchase from last fall’s Forest City Yearling Sale.
The first Grassroots division went to Boogie Woogie and trainer/driver Carl Jamieson, who delivered an impressive first up effort over the Sudbury half-mile to claim the 2:05 victory. Up To Speed followed Boogie Woogie along the outside and into second-place, while pacesetter Bare Knuckles had to settle for third.
After a third-place finish in the July 4 Bud Light Stakes at Flamboro Downs, Jamieson elected to test Boogie Woogie against the Gold Series colts at Mohawk Racetrack. The Ken Warkentin son finished fifth in the July 16 Gold Elimination and failed to advance to the final, causing Jamieson to rethink his strategy and head for the Grassroots.
Princeton resident Jamieson shares ownership on Boogie Woogie with breeder Dr. Robert Boyce of London. Through three starts the half-brother to $406,560 winner Up Front Hotsey has posted one win, one third and one fifth for earnings of $18,698.
The final Grassroots division went to Nautilus Seelster, who was promoted to the winner’s circle when Charmbo Tie caused interference to Icarus Kemp at the head of the stretch and was placed from first back to fourth. Kingbily Of Orange and Icarus Kemp were moved up to second and third.
Trevor Henry engineered Nautilus Seelster’s 2:06 tour of the Sudbury oval for his brother, trainer Wayne Henry. Fifth in the July 21 Grassroots season opener at Georgian Downs, Nautilus Seelster made a significant leap up the point standings with Sunday’s victory.
The Henry Stable of Arthur and Jean Ferguson of Dresden acquired the son of Ken Warkentin and $153,838 winner Northern Kiss for $19,000 at the Forest City Yearling Sale.
The two-year-old trotting colts make their third Grassroots start at Dresden Raceway on Sept. 7, while Sudbury Downs fans prepare for a second dose of Ontario Sires Stakes action on Aug. 12, when the gifted three-year-old trotting colts roll into town for their third Grassroots contest.
(OSS)
To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click here.