Russell resident John MacDonald piloted Now Kronos to the quickest of six $24,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots miles at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Friday evening
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Starting from Post 3, MacDonald eased the two-year-old trotting filly away from the starting gate and was sitting fourth on the outside at the :30.1 opening quarter. Pacesetter Charming Way (Wayne Henry) made a miscue heading for the :59.4 half, so MacDonald sent Now Kronos after the lead and the filly sailed unchallenged through the 1:30.3 three-quarters and down the stretch to the 1:59.3 victory.
Kenu Dance (Roger Mayotte) finished two and a half lengths back in second, with Boots N Hearts (Dave Wall) rounding out the top three six and three-quarter lengths to the rear.
Richard Moreau trains Now Kronos for Reve Avec Moi Stables of Knowlton, Que. Through five lifetime starts the filly has one win, one second and one third to her credit. The second foal from $146,185 winner Luck Of The Day, Now Kronos is a half-sister to $318,299 winner Light Kronos.
Russell residents Dr. Ruth Irving and Mary Anne Lauzon celebrated a victory in the fifth race when Excellence powered under the finish line one and three-quarters the best in 2:01.1. The Kadabra miss, who dabbled in the Gold Series earlier in the season, reeled in pacesetter Tyrone Showgirl (Ross Battin) in the stretch to earn her first lifetime victory. Oaklea Sydney (Dave Wall) was two more lengths back in third.
Irving and Lauzon share ownership of Excellence with Chris Storms of Picton and Jim Fielding of Toronto. Frank O’Reilly trains the youngster, who was a $55,000 acquisition at last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale.
Canada Cool jumped to the top of the division point standings with a 2:02 victory in the ninth race for Katherine Steacy of Lansdowne, David Reid of Glenburnie, Malcolm Man Son Hing of Campbell River, B.C. and Joe Loring of Canmore, Alta. The Angus Hall lass now has two wins and two seconds in four Grassroots starts for 150 points. The talented young trotter also has a win in overnight action at Rideau Carleton Raceway and a second in the Bud Light Stakes at Flamboro Downs to her credit.
J M Gold Digger (Wayne Henry) and Bertos Angel (Doug Brown) finished second and third behind Canada Cool and trainer/driver Mark Steacy.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Daylon Mission (Wayne Henry) in 2:02.4; Northern Kitti (Dave Wall) in 2:00.4; and Striking Bella (Ross Battin) in 2:02.2.
The freshman trotting fillies make their fifth regular season stop at Flamboro Downs on September 30.
Rideau Carleton Raceway continues its outstanding fall line up of Ontario Sires Stakes events with Gold eliminations for the two-year-old pacing colts on Sunday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from OSS)