Lady Cafe Au Lait shined in her first start in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series, succeeding in the fifth leg and Woodbine Mohawk Park Tuesday evening nightcap with a 4-1/2-length triumph in 1:53.2.
Borth pulled off the gate with the Victor Puddy student, but kept her in the mix as the field rounded the turn in her $20,000 division. He took her into fourth along the pylons briefly as the quarter clicked :27, but quickly moved her forward to take command. Lady Cafe Au Lait brushed to the top, tripped the half in :56.2 and three-quarters in 1:25.2, then took off to win by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2. Stellrmanipulation (Bob McClure) came from tenth to take second and Side Effects (Louis-Philippe Roy) completed the triactor.
Lady Cafe Au Lait (Big Jim-Lady Latte) is owned by her trainer Victor Puddy, 10462217 Canada Inc., and Lloyd Stone. She moved her career record to 2-1-3 in 10 starts with $43,244 earned. Sent off at 7-5 odds as the favourite, she returned $4.90 to win.
Wicked Cruizer proved to be the best in the first division full of 10 starters. Jody Jamieson was in the bike for Gabriella Sasso as they lined up in post three on the gate.
Jamieson eased the filly from the gate and landed in fifth through the :27.2 opening quarter and :57.3 half. Windsun Charlotte (Louis-Philippe Roy) was the first to make a move to the outside and Wicked Cruizer followed her cover through the three-quarters in 1:25.4. The pair of fillies battled home and overtook the mile pacesetter, Dee (Sylvain Filion), down the lane. Wicked Cruizer had enough left in the tank to go on to win by a half length in 1:53.4. Windsun Charlotte was second and Dee saved show.
Wicked Cruizer (McWicked-Cruzin Tothe Dance) is owned by Jeffrey Courchesne, Martwest Racing Lp and Tony Aarts. She won her second race from seven career starts and her bankroll now stands at $35,186. Her OSS Grassroots tally shows two wins and a fourth in three legs. She returned $5.70 to win as the 2-1 second choice.
The Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series concludes with the consolation on Sept. 27 and final on Sept. 28, both at Mohawk.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(Standardbred Canada)