Sophomore trotting fillies faced off in six $24,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions on Saturday at Kawartha Downs and Stonebridge Diva put forth another perfect performance to remain atop the point standings
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Point leader and fan favourite Stonebridge Diva, driven by Brad Rae, was a hard-fought winner in her division. The Angus Hall-Velvia miss made the lead after the opening quarter and turned back a challenge from Paidmedorayme (Paul MacKenzie) past the third quarter mark. Stonebridge Diva then held off Dutchess Seelster (Bruce Richardson) in the stretch to win in a time of 2:00.2 by three-quarter lengths. Windsong Felicity (Stephen Byron) came on for third.
The Gro Fromis pupil kepts her perfect four-for-four Grassroots record intact. The winner of five races in nine seasonal starts is owned by breeder Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont. and Robert Kauffman of New Albany, Ohio.
The popular Daylon Mystique was a wire-to-wire winner in her split for trainer/driver Wayne Henry extending her current Grassroots win streak to three. The daughter of Amigo Hall-Daylon Marvel stopped the clock in 1:58.1 – the fastest of all six divisions. Despite breaking stride in the stretch, Stonebridge Encore (Per Henrikson), finished three-quarters of a length back in second. Sadie Eden (Doug Brown) finished nearly 14 lengths back in third.
Daylon Mystique, a winner of three races in 10 starts this year, is owned by the Henry Stable of Arthur and Daniel McCann of Parkhill, Ont.
The other divisions went to Pajama Land (1:58.4), Senorita Conchnita (2:00), Maplewood (1:59.1) and Another Vixen (1:59.4).
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click here.