Father and son Gregg and Doug McNair captured three of five Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday in a dominant display that secured three of their freshman pacing fillies a berth in the Grassroots Championship.
The McNair’s exceptional evening got under way in the first $18,000 division with Regally Ready. Starting from post three, the Royal Mattjesty daughter cruised away from the starting gate and watched from third as Savhorsrideacowboy rolled through a :27.4 quarter and a :57.2 half. Doug McNair sent the fan favourite after the leaders heading for the 1:26.2 three-quarters and Regally Ready rocketed away to a six length triumph in a personal best 1:56.4.
Gregg McNair conditions Regally Ready for Hutt Racing Stable of Paoli, PA and sent the filly out in all six regular season Grassroots events, garnering one win, three seconds, one seventh and one ninth for a point tally of 127 and a berth in the $50,000 Grassroots Championship.
In the third division Doug McNair wasted no time putting Can Art on the lead from post four. The Artistic Fella daughter had a one length lead by the quarter pole and extended that to three and one-quarter lengths by the finish, halting the teletimer at 1:56.2.
Robert Chapple of Chatham bred and owns Can Art, who wrapped up the regular season with three wins, one fourth and one sixth, putting her third in the division standings with 161 points.
The two-year-old pacing fillies will be led into the post season by McNair trainee Momara, who recorded her fifth Grassroots win in the fourth division. The Lis Mara daughter and Doug McNair dominated the talent laden field from the start, sailing home six lengths on top in 1:56.3.
Gregg McNair shares ownership of Momara with Leonard Gamble of Etobicoke, Don MacDonald of Amherstburg and David Kryway of Amherstburg.
The McNair’s came within a nose of a fourth trip to the winner’s circle in the last division when Therese Killean almost reeled in pacesetter and heavy favourite Itsa Surprise Tome. The fillies hit the wire in 1:59.
The other Grassroots division, the only one which did not feature a McNair entry, was captured by Skippin By in 1:58.1. Doug McNair finished third with Blair Burgess trainee Double Joy.
The top 10 point earners will now begin preparations for the Sept. 21 Grassroots Championship at Mohawk Racetrack, and Doug McNair will begin deliberations about which of his father’s trainees he will steer in the season finale.
Ontario Sires Stakes action continues at Grand River Raceway on Friday with three Gold Series divisions for the two-year-old pacing colts.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.
(OSS)