Flirty Dancer catches fire for $75,000 Grassroots Final score

MILTON, September 30, 2023 – Strutting in front of the crowd, favourite Flirty Dancer (Lookslikeachpndale–Hola Lola) looked the part, playing to the harness racing fans on a balmy September evening (Sep. 30) at Woodbine Mohawk Park. And that was even before her 1:56.2 lifetime-best victory for regular driver Scott Young.

A full field of 10 lined up for race 2, the first of eight $75,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Championship races on the Saturday night card.

Her Currency (The Bank–Aris Lady) was first away from post eight, in line to Jody Jamieson, catch driving for an absent Bob McClure.

Leading through fractions of 28.0, 58.4, and 1:27.2, Her Currency kept ahead of pocket-sitter Birthday Money (Resolve–Parkhill Nocredit), who twisted eagerly as she awaited orders from trainer/driver Matt Bax.

Behind the top pair, Paul MacDonell had 20-1 longshot West River Ivory (Wheeling N Dealin–Kaddys Angel) following patiently from third, in stark contrast to her antics before the start. The post 10 starter had briefly reared up as she turned to go behind the gate.

The stretch drive saw a flurry of activity, with Birthday Money let loose to chase down Her Currency, first-over West River Ivory continuing down the middle of the track, and Flirty Dancer showing up to the party late.

The 9-5 favourite got up in the final strides, soaring past the three other fillies, with West River Ivory gaining ground for place to her immediate inside. Her Currency held on for show, ahead of fourth-place Birthday Money.

Flirty Dancer extended her win streak to four in a row in the Grassroots final.

Owned by Brian Kleinberg, Madison, NJ; Richard Beinhauer, Venetia, PA; and Paul Reid, De Leon Springs, FL, the filly was bred by Cynthia Graham and William Woolfrey of Warkworth, ON.

“She’s a complete gem,” said winning driver Scott “The Answer” Young. “I was honoured to pick her up in Sarnia. The first time I ever drove her, I told Paul [trainer, Reid], I hope I can drive her for the rest of the year.” 

Flirty Dancer led her OSS division going into the final, previously prevailing in Grassroots legs at Woodbine Mohawk Park (leg #2); Hiawatha Horse Park (leg #4, her first start for Young); Grand River Raceway (leg #5); and the September 21 Grassroots semi-final at WMP, in which she had lowered her mark to 1:57.1.

Young credited the championship win to his filly.

“I was worried tonight, I’m not gonna lie. I didn’t have her in a very good spot,” he said. “I was hoping to follow ‘Mac’ [Paul MacDonell], and then ended up being third-over. Even the last turn, she wasn’t on the bit huge, but she bailed me out, that’s for sure.”

Flirty Dancer paid $3.80 for the win.

For complete race results, click here.

by Mel Keith, for Ontario Racing