The sophomore pacing colts and geldings of the Ontario Sires Stakes program made their final appearances in Grassroots preliminary action on Saturday, Sept. 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, looking for some strong efforts heading into the semi-final round in two weeks time.
After yielding to favoured Santana Hanover (Sylvain Filion) early, driver James MacDonald desperately needed room for Leave It To Leo from behind that rival in the stretch drive of the first $21,800 Grassroots division. In deep stretch, he found it and got Leave It To Leo through rivals to hit the wire in 1:52.2. Hes Sure Good (Bob McClure) was good, but good enough, and finished a head back. Mufferaw Joe (Trevor Henry) closed well for third.
Leave It To Leo (Bettors Delight - Sunshine Patriot) was unraced at two for owner Millar Farms and trainer Nick Gallucci but his sophomore season is showing that patience truly is a virtue. In eight starts, the gelding now sports a 6-1-0 summary with $63,650 in earnings. He paid $4.90 to win.
MacDonald delivered another Grassroots victory to Gallucci and Millar in the second $21,800 division by virtue of a win with Winmebak (pictured above). Driving to the lead down the backstretch after Ikes Dream (Tyler Borth) and Reign Supreme (McClure) took early turns on the lead, Winmebak landed on top just after the :55 half. The 1-5 favourite then sped away with a 1:22.3 third panel before a :27.2 closer to hit the wire 1-3/4 lengths the best in 1:50. Reign Supreme finished second with The Moment Arose a placed third after Ikes Dream was set down from third for a pylon violation and was placed fourth.
Pacing back to his lifetime mark, Winmebak (Shadow Play - Winbak Speedi) now has a 5-0-3 from 10 seasonal starts, nine wins in his career and $123,238 in earnings. A $2 win ticket on Winmebak brough back $2.40 to those supporters.
Sauble Ace was sent off as the 4-5 choice in the $22,200 third and final Grassroots division. There were some tense moments in the stretch, but the favourite came through with a 1:51.4 nailbiter.
With Palladium Hanover (Travis Cullen) hitting the first quarter in :27.2, Bob McClure angled Sauble Ace out from third and advanced down the backside to take over and front the field through a :56.3 half and 1:24.4 third station. Turning for home, Sauble Ace had the target on his back and there were multiple threats looking to take him down. Palladium Hanover ducked to his inside and Troubles A Brewin (MacDonald) started a rally from second over. Those three hit the wire together, with Sauble Ace hanging on by a nose. Troubles A Brewin edged out Palladium Hanover for second.
A homebred of Sauble Hill Farms of Tara and Nasussito Racing Inc. of Ayr, Ont., Sauble Ace (Betterthancheddar - Ambrosia Seelster) is trained by Otis Hall. The colt picked up his fifth win of the season and seventh lifetime to lift his earnings to $92,032.
This leg marked the final prelimary leg for the Grassroots division, with semi-finals slated for Friday, Sept. 22 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Woodbine Mohawk Park, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.