Trotting colts battle in final Grassroots leg

Pierre In Paris (Archangel) led the way with a dominant victory in the first of four divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots fifth leg for two-year-old trotting colts and geldings on Friday (Sep. 13) at Grand River Raceway.

The gelding, seeking his third lifetime win, secured the lead after popping the pocket in the second quarter. Trevor Henry pushed his gas pedal down as he came around the final turn, and Pierre In Paris powered away from the field to a five-length victory in 1:56.3. Hp Lucas (Tyler Borth) came second from the pocket, holding off Captain Suzuki (Doug McNair).

PIERRE IN PARIS REPLAY

Pierre In Paris set a new lifetime mark with the performance as he increased his bankroll to $38,729 in his seventh career start. Scott McEneny trains the freshman and shares ownership with Aristi Varsakis, Martwest Racing, and Cantucky Farm.

First Class Rule (Muscle Mass, Todd Ratchford) was similarly impressive in the second division. He received a challenge from Hay Dad (Bob McClure) and battled with him from the half into the final turn before repelling him and kicking clear to a four-length score in 1:57.2. Second was Alimony Mike (Dustin Jones), followed by Wendell Blue Chip (Colin Kelly).

FIRST CLASS RULE REPLAY

First Class Rule has won back-to-back starts in the Grassroots after going 0-for-five to start his career. Friday’s win was a career-best time for the Matt Bax-trained rookie. Bax Stable co-owns him with Glengate Farms, Gaelic Stable, and Ronald Van Noort.

Cousin Halifax (Trixton, Henry) made it three straight in the third split, defeating the first-over The Bear A Cuda (Travis Henry) in a long battle. The latter was pressing on the outside from three-eighths and persisted into the stretch, but Cousin Halifax finally vanquished the tough rival in mid-stretch and pushed clear to win by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:59.4. The Governor (Mike Whelan) was third.

COUSIN HALIFAX REPLAY

Cousin Halifax, trained by Dave Menary, has earned $37,000 and won three of his five lifetime outings. W. J. Donovan owns the gelding.

In the final division, Mr Pasadena (Green Manalishi S, Jones) broke his maiden in career start number seven as he held off favourite Go Blue (Borth) in a final-quarter battle. Go Blue was alongside the leader going into the final turn and fought to the line, but Mr Pasadena held him off by a half-length to win in 1:58.1. A Fine Bordeaux (Brett MacDonald) completed the triactor.

MR PASADENA REPLAY

Mr Pasadena is now one-for-seven lifetime with $18,513 in earnings. Dustin Jones Stables owns the colt with Herbert Horses Inc., Sjoblom Racing, and Todd Coleman.

Hay Dad, who was fourth in the second division, finished on top of the preliminary round standings. The Grassroots finals are set for Sep. 28 at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

Racing continues at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Sep. 16 at 6:30 p.m. with a 10-race card featuring more Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots action.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink