23-1 upsetter tops Grassroots

Mass Cara (Muscle Mass) won the fastest Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division for three-year-old trotting fillies of the night at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (May 30) in a 23-1 harness racing upset.

She emerged from the pocket coming into the stretch for Trevor Henry and hauled down pacesetter Sue Anne (Louis-Philippe Roy), then held off Love Those Legs (Chris Christoforou) to score in 1:54.3. Love Those Legs was second over Go Have Fun (Bob McClure).

MASS CARA REPLAY

Mass Cara, an Ontario Sires Stakes Super Finalist at two, is now two-for-six this season for trainer Kyle Bossence. Her career record is two wins from 13 tries and $62,303 in earnings for owners Frank Brundle and Bossence.

Sweet Valley (Il Sogno Dream, Doug McNair) made it two-for-three in her debut season in the first split. The filly pulled first-over approaching the final turn and reached the top coming down the stretch. Rhythm Of Life bore down late and forced a photo, but Sweet Valley came out a nose in front in 1:56.3. P L Rachel (McClure) completed the ticket.

SWEET VALLEY REPLAY

Sweet Valley has now earned $20,040 for trainer Gregg McNair and owner Charalambos Christoforou. Thursday’s win lowered her mark.

Her Currency (The Bank, McClure) took her first career victory in the Grassroots in a late-charging victory. She stormed by five rivals down the stretch to win by a length in 1:55.3, a new lifetime best. Birthday Money (Todd Ratchford) held off Billie Jean Queen (Sylvain Filion) for place.

HER CURRENCY REPLAY

The winner, a 2023 finalist in the Grassroots, has now won two of her 11 career attempts and has earned $51,560. Trainer Scott McEneny co-owns the filly with Aristi Varsakis.

Also on the card, Shawn Steacy recorded his first driving win since 2022 as he piloted Armored Dove (Chapter Seven) to a 78-1 stunner. He kept the maiden on the cones into the stretch, and she soared past horses on the inside from fourth to win by a length in 1:56. Hungry Hill (Jody Jamieson) cut the mile until the winner caught him in the stretch. Drebin (James MacDonald) was third.

ARMORED DOVE/SHAWN STEACY REPLAY

Armored Dove took five attempts to qualify this season after not starting at two. She finished fifth in her prior two outings for Steacy, who trains her. Hudson Standardbred Stable, Shelly Macmillan, and Pam Larson own the filly. Steacy, primarily a trainer, earned his last driving victory in 2022 with Sweet Loving.

Racing continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, May 31 at 7:10 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink