Favourites And MacDonald Dominate In Grassroots Action

It was a chalk parade Tuesday evening at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and that included the four Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

Resolve To Win was a front-stepping winner in his $22,600 division for the tandem of driver James MacDonald and trainer John Bax.

The son of Resolve-Sensual Hall battled with Stonebridge Jasper to the quarter pole in :27.4 before that foe cleared to the top.  It was a short-lived stint on the lead, however, as Resolve To Win promptly came back around to reclaim the position of command.

Resolve To Win then produced middle splits of :58.4 and 1:29.2 before using a :28.3 closing panel to win by three-quarters of a length over Lava Field in 1:58.  Rough Tuff Tested took home third prize in the nine-horse affair.

Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, the colt improved his rookie record to 2-0-1 from four trips to the track.  The winner of $25,264 is owned by Bax Stable Brad Grant, Gaelic Stable and Don Allensen.

In the second division it was heavily favoured Busting With Pride blowing away the foes he faced for the team of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Bob McIntosh.

Sent off at 1-5, the homebred son of Resolve-Bustingattheseams was parked to the half before clearing to the top.  Once in charge, he sailed past the three-quarter pole in 1:28.1 and then used a final quarter clocked in :30 to win by 4-1/2 lengths over Mr Experience in 1:58.1.  First Digit rounded out the Trifecta ticket.

Robert Mcintosh Stables Inc and Dave Boyle share ownership on the gelding who improved his freshman record to 2-1-0 from four starts with the triumph.  His bankroll now stands at $29,926.

Darbyshire gave MacDonald and Bax their second stakes wins on the card thanks to his popular score in the third division.

The son of Muscle Mass-Danish Darby got away third early and watched Airborne sail through early fractions of :29.1, 1:00 and 1:29.4.  Darbyshire tracked cover around the final turn, and when MacDonald cut him loose in the lane the colt responded with a :28.1 closing quarter which earned him the 1-1/4 length triumph over Floyd The Freak in 1:58.2.  Beacon Beach was third.

Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, Darbyshire bettered his rookie record to 3-0-0 from four starts for Bax Stable, Glengate Farms, Goin To The Show Stable and Happy Trails Stables.

MacDonald nabbed the Grassroots triple thanks to a handy score in the final division with the popular Nothingbutadreamer.

The Harry Poulton pupil shot to the top from Post 8 and sliced his way through fractions of :29.1, :59.4 and 1:29.1.  He then used a :28.2 closing panel to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Take On Me in 1:57.3.  Watch A Pro grabbed the show dough.

The son of Muscle Mass-Myimpossibledream has racked up three wins from just five trips postward this season, and all three of them were taken against Grassroots company.  Thestable Nothinbutadremr of Guelph, Ont. owns the career winner of $34,500.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Woodbine Mohawk Park.