Half of Georgian Downs’ Tuesday evening program was dedicated to showcasing two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, as the Innisfil oval hosted a six-pack of the $24,000 O.S.S. Grassroots divisions
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Deweys Timesr Good went 0-for-5 to start his career, but he shed his maiden status in the opening division for trainer/driver Wayne Henry. The son of Mr Lavec-Times R Good marched to the top from Post 7 and sliced out splits of :30, 1:01 and 1:32.2 over the sloppy oval before stepping home for the 2:05 decision. Muskoka (Blair Burgess) was next best, and Meadowview Arty (Dan Clements) finished third.
Bred and owned by Jim Laverty of Sauble Beach, ON, the gelding lit up the tote board to the tune of 15-1. The victory bumped his earnings to $19,320.
Edit romped to a seven-length win in the second division, and that earned him his first trip to the winner’s circle in six opportunities for trainer Kevin O’Reilly. The son of Kadabra-Vintage Chip, who was paired up with driver Mike Saftic, rallied from just off the pace to stop the clock in 2:02.2. Winbak Hall (Simon Allard) was the best of the rest behind the 1-5 favourite, with Reelie (Wayne Henry) a distant third.
Mel Hartman, David Mc Duffee and Herb Liverman share ownership on the gelding, who was a $25,000 purchase from last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale. The victory bumped his overall bankroll to $25,500.
Big Strike was an easy winner in his assignment, and that was music to the ears of the favourite players who made him the 4-5 choice. The son of Striking Sahbra-Berto Cathy whacked out panels of :29.4, 1:01.1 and 1:30.4 for driver Brad Kramer before using a :31.2 final frame to seal the deal by six lengths in a time of 2:02.1. Dukecrest (Bruce Richardson) was second best in the trotting tilt, and Finely Honed (Steve Byron) was third.
Gregg McNair conditions the colt for Kramer and the E C S Racing LLC of Rockford, MI. The victory was the third of the season for the rookie, who upped his lifetime earnings to $21,420 in the process. He was a $15,000 purchase at last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale.
Assignment, who finished sixth in the first start of his career, extended his winning streak to six-in-a-row thanks to his 2:03.1 tally in the fourth division. The son of Ken Warkentin-Armbro Whistle rallied from just off the pace for trainer/driver Ted Jacobs, who has watched the youngster bank $36,000 in his first seven starts. Put Your Dukes Up (Mike Saftic) was a handily-beaten second, while Sixteen Kadabras (Paul MacKenzie) finished third.
Glen Campbell of Kingston, ON bred and owns the photogenic youngster, who has racked up 100 points in the O.S.S. Grassroots program so far this season.
Chuckalo Caden lowered his lifetime mark to 2:03.3 thanks to his half-length score in the fifth division. The son of Mr Lavec-Chuckalo Beckster, who was sent off at odds of 12-1, survived a first-over trip to defeat Mr Joe Sixpack (Torgeir Hagmann) and Revonah Hanover (Scott Coulter).
Bred, owned, trained and driven by Chuck Thompson, the colt now owns a 2-1-0 record from five trips postward in addition to a bankroll that stands at $30,000 to date.
Tamarind got away next to last in the final division and remained in that position all the way to the mid-way point before commencing a rally that saw him pass six rivals en route to a 2:03.3 triumph for the duo of driver Mike Saftic and trainer Mark Steacy. Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, the son of Angus Hall-Spicegirl Kosmos drew off to win by 4-1/2 lengths over P C La Mousse (Ross Battin), with Herecomesthechief (Paul MacKenzie) another 3-1/2 lengths back in third.
Purchased for $50,000 at last year’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale, the colt has stashed away more than $31,000 for the partnership of Landmark III Racing Stable, David Reid and Stan Klemencic. The freshman boasts a 3-0-1 record from just six tries.
Flamboro Downs will host the next Grassroots event on October 7 for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings, and that will be the final chance to rack up points in the Grassroots program. The top sixteen point earners will then square off in the Semi-Finals at Western Fair Raceway on October 15. The top four finishers from each of the Semi-Finals will return to London on October 23 for the Grassroots Final.
To view Tuesday’s results, click here.