T H Mcmurry romps to Grassroots postseason berth

T H Mcmurry (Mcwicked) secured a spot in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots semi-final with a dominating win in the final leg for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Thursday (Sep. 7) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The gelding put his nose in front at the quarter in :27 and dictated the pace through middle splits of :56.4 and 1:26.2. He dispatched the first-up Be Right There (Bob McClure) quickly and remained at top speed to the line for a four-length win in 1:52.3. Enforcer (Doug McNair) finished second from the pocket. Be Right There hung onto third.

T H MCMURRY REPLAY

T H Mcmurry started his season in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold series, winning the first leg before two poor showings. He dropped to the second-tier Grassroots on Aug. 28 for new trainer Jeffery Taylor and has won both starts in the series. His 100-point total ensures a spot in the series semi-final on Sep. 21 with a chance to qualify for the $75,000 championship. He is now three-for-six with $77,166 in earnings for owners Taylor, Siobhan Andrusek, and Graeme Mitchell.

Vis A Vis Bluechip (Bettors Delight) also ensured a place in the semi-final as he won the first division of leg five on Thursday. The gelding rode the pocket and split horses in the stretch to catch Unrivaled Hanover (Jonathan Drury) for the victory in 1:52.1. The latter took the lead as the field straightened for home and held second over the flying Century Komodo (McClure).

VIS A VIS BLUECHIP REPLAY

Vis A Vis Bluechip has won two of his six starts, both in the Grassroots. He tried the Gold level twice, earning cheques in both attempts, and has collected $34,012 in purse money. Paul Davies trains the gelding and co-owns him with Nicole Davies.

Mcwicked Time (Mcwicked) charged from third-over for back-to-back Grassroots scores in the second group. The colt, in line to Travis Cullen, fanned out at the top of the lane and collared division leader D A Mcdreamy (Drury) in the final strides for the win in 1:52.2. D A Mcdreamy was second by a head. Southwind Circuit (Louis-Philippe Roy) pressed on after an uncovered advance and was a lapped-on third.

MCWICKED TIME REPLAY

Mcwicked Time’s two straight wins were his first since his career debut. The freshman is three-for-nine and has earned $43,987. He races out of the Robert Robinson barn for owner Jacqueline Dinelle.

The two-year-old pacing males will begin their postseason on Sep. 21 with the $40,000 semi-finals at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The top 10 horses will then contest the $75,000 final on Sep. 30.

Woodbine Mohawk Park will host more Grassroots competition – three divisions of the fifth leg for three-year-old pacing fillies – on Friday, Sep. 8.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink