Louis-Philippe Roy drove the winners of half of the six $25,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Leg 4B divisions on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, including Odds On Bullfrog in the fastest split.
In the second of four groups of rookie pacing males, Roy worked Odds On Bullfrog to the front without seeing the pylons through a taxing :26.4 first quarter. Odds On Bullfrog controlled the speed through middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.3, coming under duress from Ryder Ross (Tyler Borth) on the final bend. The leader was hounded by Ryder Ross and Speaksoftlytome (Travis Cullen) through the stretch but held on by a neck to win in 1:52.2. Ryder Ross finished second over the closing Joses Triplets (Doug McNair).
Odds On Bullfrog has won two straight races for Dr. Ian Moore and owner-breeder Odds On Racing of Boca Raton, Fla. after going winless in his first five starts. The Bulldog Hanover-Odds On Naples colt earned his first Grassroots victory and elevated his bankroll to $29,310. He paid $19.60 to win.
Roy also won the first pacing split with Lyons Gustavofring in a 12-1 upset. Fourth through the first-half sections of :26.4 and :57.3, Roy fired him first-over entering the far turn, and the gelding rushed up alongside leader Plankton Hanover (Trevor Henry) approaching three-quarters in 1:26.1. Plankton Hanover held his foe at bay into deep-stretch, but Lyons Gustavofring overhauled him late to win by a length in 1:53.1. Mandestiny (Jody Jamieson) was third.
Lyons Gustavofring ($26.30), a son of Cattlewash-Lispatty, broke his maiden in his seventh try for trainer Tony Beaton. He has now earned $23,360 for owner Threelyonsracing of Brantford, Ont.
Evans Legacy captured the final division for pacers by a nose after an overland trip. He was away fifth from the rail to the quarter in :27.2 before following favourite Goin For Broke (Doug McNair) to the outside approaching the half in :57.4. Goin For Broke cleared, then defended position from Evans Legacy through three-quarters in 1:26 before breaking stride and entering the safety lane as they came off the final turn. Evans Legacy inherited a sizable advantage but was put to a drive by the marauding Cheese Dreams (James MacDonald), who missed by a nose as Evans Legacy hung on to win in 1:53.4. D A Lets Dance (Henry) completed the triactor.
Evans Legacy ($14.30) is now two-for-five with $21,780 in his coffers. The Cattlewash-Tables Big Secret gelding was making his Grassroots debut for trainer Lyle MacArthur and owners Linda Wellwood of St. George Brant, Ont. and Tammy Aspden of Caistor Centre, Ont.
Roy also won the opener with Its Not My Vault ($4.30) for a grand slam on the card.
The third pacing split went to the Cattlewash-Our Hot Majorette gelding Major Money ($8.60) in 1:53, kicking off a stakes double for driver MacDonald, trainer Nick Gallucci, and owner Millar Farms.
Those connections also won the first group for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings with Hot Country ($3.60), a son of Muscle Mass-Feel Invincible As, in 1:57.
Stonebridge Mac ($10.30) prevailed in the final trotting contest in 1:56.3 with Henry in the bike. Scott McEneny trains the Green Manalishi S-Stonebridge Encore gelding and co-owns him with Aristi Varsakis.
To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Wooodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)