Freshmen contest Grassroots semi-finals

The Ontario Sires Stakes harness racing postseason kicked off on Thursday (Sep. 22) at Woodbine Mohawk Park with two Grassroots semi-finals for each sex and gait of two-year-olds.

Divinne Magic (Muscle Mass, Trevor Henry) rolled her maiden-breaking victory last out into a 2:00.3 win in the first semi-final for trotting fillies. She was a half-length better than Cunning Connie (James MacDonald). Angelic Kt (Chris Christoforou), Its Sally Deal (Scott Young), and St Lads Tricky (Jean Bernard Renaud) were third through fifth in order.

DIVINNE MAGIC REPLAY

Keith Jones trains Divinne Magic for the ownership group of Maggie Jones, Susan Heard, Jody Simmons, and Philip Newfeld. The filly has earned $28,110 in five starts to date.

Division winner Lucy Who (Wheeling N Dealin, Henry) improved her record to five-for-seven with a narrow 1:59.1 win in the other group.

Sweet Carrie T (Bob McClure) and No Angel Like Me (Sylvain Lacaille) could not overcome Lucy Who and were second and third respectively in the photo. Match Meif You Can (Matt Bax) was fourth, and Enola (Tyler Borth) finished fifth.

LUCY WHO REPLAY

Lucy Who has won four straight, including two in the Grassroots. The Julie Walker pupil is a homebred for owner Murray Bradshaw. Her bankroll now totals $56,000.

Twin Delight (Bettors Delight, McClure) eclipsed Cheese So Pretty (MacDonald) at the wire to win the first semi-final for filly pacers in 1:53.4. Twin B Echo (Jody Jamieson) was three-quarters of a length back in third. Glenboro (Travis Cullen) was fourth; Sis (Louis-Philippe Roy) completed the top five.

TWIN DELIGHT REPLAY

It was the fourth career win for Twin Delight, who has earned $49,126 in seven tries. Shawn Steacy conditions the filly for Hutt Racing Stable.

Grandeur Seelster (All Bets Off, Austin Sorrie) coasted home for an open-length victory in the second split. Shake It Twice (Doug McNair) rallied for second and closed the gap late. Bettors Punch (Jonathan Drury) took third. Favourite Beach (Henry) and Ima Doll (Paul MacDonell) hit the line together, finishing fourth and fifth, respectively.

GRANDEUR SEELSTER REPLAY

Grandeur Seelster, who finished second in the regular season standings, is three-for-seven so far and has brought in $44,762 for owners Gestion Mastel, Marcel Barrieau, and Courtney Gallant. Barrieau has trained the filly to three wins in the Ontario Sires Stakes.

New Rules (Lookslikeachpndale, Sorrie) upset at 17-1 in a 1:56.2 late-surging victory in the first division for trotting males. Take On Me (Roy) had a big lead turning for home but was caught by a neck. Rough Tuff Tested (Drury) also closed in, finishing third. Fourth-place finisher Timonier (Sylvain Filion) and fifth-place finisher Cruising Tom (McClure) were well back. Favourite Resolve To Win broke stride at the start  and finished ninth.

NEW RULES REPLAY

New Rules was Barrieau’s first of two winners on the day. He also co-owns the gelding, who has won two times and earned $33,108, with Gestion Mastel.

All Star Yankee (My Mvp, Drury) created a double upset in the colt trot division as he scored a first career win at 15-1 in the other semi-final. He took over as breaking leader Darbyshire (MacDonell) broke in mid-stretch and held off Watch A Pro (Bax) for the win in 1:56.3. Nothingbutadreamer (MacDonald) finished third. Busting With Pride (Henry) and Floyd The Freak (Ed Hensley), who was placed fifth, rounded out the top five.

ALL STAR YANKEE REPLAY

All Star Yankee had 10 prior winless starts but has collected $30,268 in purses. Blake Macintosh trains the colt whom he co-owns with Hutt Racing Stable and Van Camp Trotting Corp.

Ahi Sunshine (Sunshine Beach, McClure) scored another for Steacy in the first semi-final for male pacers with a 1:52.3 clocking. Watch My Chips (McNair) held off the charging Slick N Quick (Roy) for place. Wise Thinking (Henry) also closed, finishing fourth. Thong Control (Filion) set the pace but faded to fifth.

AHI SUNSHINE REPLAY

The winner finished second in the regular season standings with two Grassroots wins. He has tallied five times in nine tries. The homebred has earned $78,249 for Hudson Standardbred Stable, Allen Sellen, and Bridle Path Stables.

Reign Supreme (Control The Moment, Roy) proved his superiority in the final semi-final. He won going away in 1:52.1. Division points leader The Golden Jet (Jamison) was second-best. Hes A Sweetheart (MacDonald) edged out Watchmaker (Christoforou) for fourth. Twin B Risenshine (Travis Henry) grabbed the fifth spot.

REIGN SUPREME REPLAY

Reign Supreme, racing for trainer John Pentland, has won four of his six starts to date, including two in the Grassroots. The colt has earned $48,432 for owner/co-breeder Zachary Carroll.

The Grassroots finals are set for Saturday, Oct. 1 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The sophomores will contest their semi-finals on Friday, Sep. 23. Eight more divisions will go to post with a start time of 7:00 p.m. EDT on that card.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink