Valentine Blue Chip back to success in Grassroots

After taking her first two losses of the season, Valentine Blue Chip (Muscle Mass) returned to winning ways with a sharp victory in the first Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots division for three-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Tuesday (Sep. 10).

The filly let action unfold before her and accepted fifth position from the pylons as Mass Cara (Austin Sorrie) took command and led through :27.4 and :57.2 splits. Doug McNair let Valentine Blue Chip loose as the field approached the turn, and the filly blasted by rivals to eclipse the leader at three-quarters in 1:26.2.

Valentine Blue Chip kept flying into the stretch, opening up by four lengths halfway home. She drifted to the outside but cruised to the line, dusting off the win with a two-and-a-half-length margin in 1:55.

Exciting Mia (Chris Christoforou) closed hard for second. Shetrotsalot (Scott Young) was third.

VALENTINE BLUE CHIP REPLAY

Valentine Blue Chip, who made two starts as a rookie, is now six-for-eight at three. She started the year with five straight before a place finish in an Ontario Sires Stakes Gold. Gregg McNair trains the filly for Anthony Timmins of Birmingham (GB).

The first division went to Rhythm Of Life (Muscle Mass, Bob McClure). The filly took over just past the half but was re-engaged immediately by former leader Flirty Dancer (Tyler Jones). Rhythm Of Life fended her off and pulled clear in the last eighth of a mile to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:55.3, a lifetime-best.

Flirty Dancer clung to second over the late-closing Hope N Glory (Jody Jamieson).

RHYTHM OF LIFE REPLAY

Rhythm Of Life has won four straight, including two in the Grassroots. She is six-for-23 lifetime with $125,197 in earnings for the Shawn Steacy barn and owners Landmark 16 Racing, Glengate Farms, Carmen Chrysdale, and Guy Haskell.

Love Those Legs (Kadabra) battled to victory in the final split. Louis-Philippe Roy pulled the filly from fourth on the backstretch, and she fired into contention with leader Mass Money (Travis Henry) on the last turn. Love Those Legs carved out a length cushion as they came down the stretch and held off the determined Mass Money to score in 1:55.2.

The latter was three-quarters-of-a-length back in second. Radical Legacy (Tyler Jones) completed the ticket.

LOVE THOSE LEGS REPLAY

The winner has won a pair of Grassroots leg this season, accounting for two of her three victories in 19 career outings. She has raked in $71,906 in earnings. Luc Blais trains the filly for Determination.

Rhythm Of Life’s win locked up the preliminary round standings win, giving her 176 points. The Grassroots championships are set for Sep. 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink