Filly finds first victory in $60,000 Grassroots Final

MILTON, October 1, 2022 – No Angel Like Me (Archangel-BistroBistro Taj) saved her best for last, getting up in the final strides to take the $60,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Final for two-year-old trotting harness racing fillies, Saturday (Oct. 1) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

After hitting the podium in her first four starts, including a pair of seconds, No Angel Like Me, trained by Kelly Duval Lacaille and driven by her father Sylvain Lacaille, struck Grassroots gold courtesy of a gritty score.

It was 4-5 choice Lucy Who, in rein to Trevor Henry, who got away quickest of all off the gate, as the bay filly, on a four-race win streak, took command into the first turn, with No Angel Like Me settling into second spot and Enola tucking in third.

Ahead by two lengths at the quarter in :28.4, Lucy Who and Henry then slowed the pace down, cutting a half in 1:00.1, as No Angel Like Me continued to track the pacesetter, with Enola maintaining her third-place position and Sweet Carrie T inheriting fourth spot after Angelic Kt broke stride.

Still in control after three-quarters in 1:30.0, Lucy Who looked to trot away from her rivals down the lane, but a persistent No Angel Like Me kept grinding away to the outside of her rival.

With the finish line drawing closer, Lacaille urged his brown filly for her best and she responded, eking out a head triumph in a career-best 1:58.2. Enola took third and 103-1 St Lads Tricky was elevated from fifth to fourth, after Cunning Connie was placed last after an extended break.

“Winning is so exciting, it’s a dream come true,” said Duval Lacaille. “Working hard for so many years, and trying to get somewhere, for me it’s everything winning that race. She raced awesome. She always showed that she can do her job easily and she just made it today. I am not surprised she ended up as a winner tonight. To do it with my dad is super awesome. It’s the most beautiful feeling because it’s family, and nothing is better than family.”

NO ANGEL LIKE ME REPLAY

Bred and owned by Candice Morel, No Angel Like Me arrived at the final off a third-place finish, albeit only a head back of the winner, in her Grassroots elim on September 22.

She launched her career with a third-place effort in a Grassroots leg at Dresden on August 1, followed by a second at Kawartha Downs, also in Grassroots action, 12 days later.

On Saturday night under the lights on the big stage, she notched her milestone tally in style.

“The horse has always been great,” beamed Duval Lacaille. “She has been good since day one, and she will still be good. She made her job like she did since the first day.”

No Angel Like Me paid $13.70 for the win.

To read about all of the 2022 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Finals and view the replays, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Chris Lomon, for Ontario Racing