Track record broken in Grassroots

The Canam Banker (The Bank) sliced several ticks off the Dresden Raceway track record for three-year-old harness racing male trotters in the first Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division on Monday (Jul. 1).

The gelding, driven by Tyler Borth, got to the front at the end of a :30.4 first quarter and commanded the field through 1:00.4 and 1:30 middle splits. He soared clear of the rest on the final turn and motored to the line to win by nine-and-a-half lengths in 1:59. Alexander (Todd Ratchford) was second, more than six lengths clear of Muscle Detector (Garrett Rooney) in third.

THE CANAM BANKER REPLAY

The previous record of 1:59.3 was first set by Starsel in 2006 and tied by Sicario in 2018.

The Canam Banker is now two-for-16 on the season and finished third despite a break in the first Grassroots leg. Victor Puddy conditions the gelding and co-owns him with Michael Marocco of Lavonia. The three-year-old earned $66,333 and won three of 20 career starts.

Royal Duharas (Royalty For Life, Loic Gueriel) snagged the second division on the card, wiring the field in 2:02. Wheelzablazin (Tyler Moore) battled him from the pocket but was a length back in second. Buttinski (Ratchford) finished third. The winner paid $17.10.

ROYAL DUHARAS REPLAY

It was the third win of the season in five starts for Royal Duharas, and his first Ontario Sires Stakes attempt at three. Kyle Fellows trains the Haras de L’Estrie homebred, a four-time winner in 14 tries with $35,671 in earnings.

Slayin Theday Away (Muscle Mass, Eddie Green) took the sole Prospect Series division on the card, cutting the mile in leg 2B for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings. He held off the closing Livingitlarge (Lorne House) and Charmbo Titan (Thomas Smith), who were second and third, respectively.  The winning colt is now seven-for-12 on the season for trainer Keelan Green and owner/breeder Celestey Hill.

Racing at Dresden Raceway will resume on Sunday, Jul. 7.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink