R Gauwitz Hanover wrapped up the regular season with a flawless record of five wins in five Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots starts by posting an effortless victory in the first of six $24,000 divisions for the freshman pacing colts at Flamboro Downs on Friday
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Driver Sylvain Filion sent R Gauwitz Hanover to the lead from Post 3 and the Modern Art son coasted around the Dundas oval to a one and one-quarter length victory in 1:56.4. Jettison trailed the fan favourites to a runner-up finish, while Creighton Hanover took an outside route into third.
Mark Steacy trains the consistent R Gauwitz Hanover for his wife Katherine Steacy of Lansdowne, Ont., Landmark IV Racing Stable of Elginburg, Ont., David Reid of Glenburnie, Ont., and Bridle Path Stables Ltd. of Ossining, New York. Through 10 lifetime starts the young pacer has accumulated eight wins, one second and one third, banking $85,532. With a perfect 250 points, R Gauwitz Hanover now leads the top 20 point earners on to Mohawk Racetrack next Friday, Sept. 23 for a pair of $30,000 Semifinals.
Who Doesnt delivered an impressive effort to claim his second Grassroots victory in the fifth division. The Mach Three gelding spent most of the race on the right flank of the early pacesetters before taking the lead around the final turn and pulling away to a two length victory in a personal best 1:54.4. Rocky Regal stepped to the outside late and followed Who Doesnt across the wire, leaving fan favourite Fenian Hanover to settle for third.
Garrett Whelan catch drove Who Doesnt to the victory for trainer Joe Hudon of Acton, Ont., and his partners R A W Equine Inc. of Burlington, Ont., and Robert Rubin of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In six Grassroots appearances the Mach Three son tallied two wins, two seconds, one third and one fourth for a total point score of 170 and a post season berth.
Jody Jamieson piloted Concert Ticket to the quickest of the six Grassroots miles. The pair tracked pacesetter Retail from third through fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:25 before stepping out and sprinting home to a three-quarter length victory in 1:54.2. Favourite Retail had to settle for second while In Commando was five lengths back in third.
With just 38 points heading into Friday’s test, Concert Ticket needed to record his first lifetime victory for a shot at the post season, and the Lis Mara son just skated into the top 20, finishing five points ahead of the cut off mark. Tony O’Sullivan conditions the fortunate youngster for owner and breeder Emerald Highlands Farm of Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Life Signature also made a sizeable leap up the point standings with his first victory. The Life Sign son and driver Mario Baillargeon led the field in the third division through all stations to secure a one and one-half length victory in 1:55.3. Secretsoftheknight overcame Post 7 to finish second and Warrawee Newton rounded out the top three.
Andrew McCabe trains Life Signature for Bill Manes of Rockwood, Ont., Steven Papillon of Acton, Ont., Steven Brunelle of Grand Bend, Ont., and Leonard Christopher of Acton, Ont. Through nine starts the gelding now has one win, two seconds and one third to his credit.
Huxley picked up his third straight Grassroots victory on Friday for trainer David Menary and owners Burke Racing Stable LLC of Fredericktown, Pennsylvania and Weaver Bruscemi LLC of Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. The Modern Art gelding and driver Robert Shepherd bested Red Carpet Dude and Espen De Vie by two and one-quarter lengths, halting the teletimer at 1:55.3.
The final Grassroots trophy was awarded to Iwilldowhatido, who hung on for a neck victory over a charging Stonebridge Comet and Lyons Josephjnr. In just four starts Iwilldowhatido boasts two wins and two seconds for trainer Bob McIntosh of Windsor, Ont., Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington, Ont., and Larry Pollard of Harrow, Ont. The homebred son of Western Maverick halted the Flamboro Downs teletimer at 1:56.2, peeling more than three seconds off his former personal best.
The top 20 point earners will now hone their skills in preparation for the Sept. 23 Semifinals, which narrow the field down to 10 for the $100,000 Grassroots Championship at Mohawk Racetrack on Oct. 1.
Following the talented two-year-old pacing colts to Mohawk for the Grassroots Championships will be Friday’s finalists from the Win The Thrill contest. Good luck to Adam D'Andrea, John Fisher, William Killaly, Ken Scott, Bruno Serafini, Dave Sheehan and Tony Volpini, all of Hamilton, as well as Allan MacLean and Ingrid Hentsch of Cambridge, as they hope to win the Grand Prize — a share in the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association’s (SBOA) New Owner Mentoring Program.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Flamboro Downs.
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