Debuting filly circles field in Grassroots

Olivias Goldnugget (My Mvp), making her career debut, provided the highlight of the first Ontario Sires Stake Grassroots harness racing leg for three-year-old trotting fillies when she went last-to-first in the final quarter-mile to win the third division.

The Tony Beaton-trained filly was 10 lengths back at the half but moved out on cover and advanced going to three-quarters. Coming down the stretch, James MacDonald swung her to the outside, and she exploded past all six rivals to win in 1:57.1 with a :27.4 final quarter. No Angel Like Me cut the first three quarters and finished second. Savannahs Dream (Bruce Richardson) finished third off a pocket trip.

OLIVIAS GOLDNUGGET REPLAY

The filly qualified twice in May. She’s a home bred for Felix Marion, who co-owns her with Olivia Marion.

Vallee Doree (Muscle Mass, Scott Young) was a closing winner in the first division. She found room late at the pylons and out-sprinted the closing Northern Magenta (Trevor Henry) to score in 1:55.3. The winning margin was a head. Southwind Chardnay (Tyler Borth) was a game third.

VALLEE DOREE REPLAY

It was the first win of the season for Vallee Doree. She started the season in the United States but moved to Ontario in late May. She raced twice at Mohawk last season for current trainer Benoit Baillargeon. The filly is now two-for-16 lifetime with earnings of $40,737 for Gregg Martin of Mullica Hill.

Sweet Carrie T (Muscle Mass, Young) swept up from fourth and tracked down pacesetter Shiny New Penny (Sylvain Filion) in the second division to win in 1:55.1. Shiny New Penny was beaten by a length. Match Meif You Can (MacDonald) finished third.

SWEET CARRIE T REPLAY

Sweet Carrie T scored her only prior career win in the Grassroots and made the series final last season. Mark Etsell trains the filly, who is now two-for-11 and has earned $47,204. Etsell Newton of Rockwood, Graham Hopkins of Chesley, Peter Porter of Port Dover, and Lindsey Turner of Georgetown own the filly.

The next Grassroots racing is set for Jun. 6, when the first leg for three-year-old pacing colts will be contested at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The track will be in action again on Friday, Jun. 2 with Ontario Sires Stakes Gold action for three-year-old pacing fillies.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink