Darbyshire defeats Grassroots rivals again

Darbyshire (Muscle Mass) bounced back from his break in the Balanced Image to score another harness racing victory in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots on Saturday (Sep. 10) at Hanover Raceway.

James MacDonald commanded speed from post three, and the gelding marched out to a five-length lead at the quarter in :30.2 aided by rough-gaited opponents. He stole easy middle panels of 1:02 and 1:32.2 and rolled to victory under wraps in 2:01.4.

All Star Yankee (Jonathan Drury) was second by a length-and-three-quarters. Cruising Tom (Bob McClure) was third after a first-up bid.

Darbyshire is now five-for-seven lifetime with $46,900 in earnings in his rookie season. The John Bax trainee has won four times in the Grassroots this season and now leads the division by 18 points going into the semi-finals. Bax Stable of Campbellville, Glengate Farms of Erin, Goin To The Show Stable of Peterborough, and Happy Trails Stable of London own the gelding.

Floyd The Freak (Archangel, Ed Hensley) won his third straight race in the second division. He fought past favourite Resolve To Win (MacDonald) on the first turn, turned away a first-over challenger in the final quarter, and held off Resolve To Win for the victory.

Resolve To Win was a half-length behind as the clock stopped in 2:00.1. Rough Tuff Tested (Drury) finished third.

Floyd The Freak was coming off a victory in the Balanced Image final. Hensley co-bred and co-owns with Ashleigh Hensley, who trains. The gelding has won four races and has earned $58,512 in his seven two-year-old starts so far.

Busting With Pride (Resolve) jogged in the first division for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Robert McIntosh. The gelding was six-and-three-quarter lengths clear at the finish in 2:03. Mr Experience (Tyler Borth) finished second. Electro Long Legs (Stephen Byron) was placed third.

McIntosh co-owns and co-bred Busting With Pride with Dave Boyle of Bowmanville. The gelding has won three times and earned $41,876 in seven starts to date.

The Grassroots semi-final for the two-year-old trotting colts is set for Thursday, Sep. 22 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink