Grassroots mania at Sarnia

The Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots dominated the harness racing card at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday (Jul. 22) as the second leg for two-year-old pacing fillies required five divisions worth a total of $110,200.

Control The Fire (Control The Moment, Anthony Haughan) smoked her opponents in the first division, getting three-and-three-quarter lengths away down the stretch to win in 1:55.4. Place finisher Cheese Party (Tyler Jones) was well clear of She Comes And Goes (Scott Young), who was third. The winner, trained by Meg Crone for Fred Brayford, is finished second in the first leg and is now one-for-two.

CONTROL THE FIRE REPLAY

Betterwithglasses (Betterthancheddar, Colin Kelly) was similarly dominant in the second group, taking over on the homeward turn and flrying home to a four-and-a-half-length victory in 1:54.4. Too Easy (Phil Hudon) passed rivals late to take second. Make Out With Me (Travis Henry) rallied from last to earn a show placing. Betterwithglasses was also second in the opening round for trainer Victor Puddy, giving her a one-for-two record. She was a $30,000 Lexington purchase by 1042217 Canada Inc., Michael Horwood, Lloyd Stone, and Puddy.

BETTERWITHGLASSES REPLAY

Greatest Pleasure (Bettors Delight, Jean Rene Plante) vaulted past the top two from third in the stretch to set the fastest mile of the day and capture the third split in 1:54.3. She was a length clear of How Much (Henry) at the line with pacesetter Kittys Column (Travis Jones) completing the ticket. The win marked a rise from the third-tier Prospect Series for Greatest Pleasure, who is trained by Luc Blais for Determination. The filly won leg one of the Prospect Series on Jul. 15, her first career win. She is now two-for-three.

GREATEST PLEASURE REPLAY

Tribal Dancer (Sunshine Beach, Ed Hensley) waltzed to a 1:56.3 score in the fourth division. In her first career win, she was three-and-three-quarter lengths the best over Idyllic Delight (Donnie Rankin). Le Bec Fin (Young) was third. It was a maiden-breaking win for Tribal Dancer, a Melissa Lamoreux trainee and homebred for 1187422 Ontario Inc. The filly was second in leg one to Resilience and hit the board in two prior starts.

TRIBAL DANCER REPLAY

Bonitas Best Bet (All Bets Off, Henry) made her Canadian debut and closed out the second round with a comprehensive win. She took the fifth division going away by three lengths in 1:55.4. Sports Liz (Jones) held off Winner Bells (Young) for second. Bonitas Best Bet moved to Dave Menary after starting at the Meadows for Ron Burke. Burke Racing Stable, Frank Baldachino, Weaver Bruscemi, and J&T Silva and Purnel & Libby bought the filly for $20,000 at Lexington. She is now two-for-three.

BONITAS BEST BET REPLAY

The third Grassroots leg for two-year-old pacing fillies will go forward at Dresden Raceway on Aug. 7.

Hiawatha Horse Park is scheduled to resume racing on Saturday, Jul. 29.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink