Grassroots rookies battle at Kawartha

Two-year-old trotting colts and geldings contested their third Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots harness racing leg at Kawartha Downs on Friday (Aug. 9).

Favourite Alimony Mike (Royalty For Life, Dustin Jones) returned to the Grassroots level in the first division and took his second career win. The gelding exchanged the pocket for the lead in the second quarter and commanded the race from there, holding off Gaslight Hall (Nick Boyd) by a half-length to win in 1:58.2. The Bear A Cuda (Samuel Fillion) was four lengths back in third.

Alimony Mike, trained by Jones, won his debut in the Grassroots before a show finish in the Millard Farms and a sixth in an Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Gold. He has tallied a pair of victories and $23,033 in earnings from four starts. Dustin Jones Stables owns with Golden Bear Racing, and Gestion C. Levesque 2005 Inc.

Armstead Fireball (Muscle Mass) broke his maiden in the second split for driver Samuel Fillion and trainer Chantal Mitchell. He took over just past the first station, held the first-over Darkness Cooks (Anthony Haughan) at bay through the middle half, and maintained a length advantage to the line to win in 2:00.4.

Cousin Halifax (Todd Ratchford) closed the gap down the stretch and finished second. Lmc Little Chips (Karl Tomas) rounded out the triactor.

Armstead Fireball debuted on Jul. 30 in a strong-closing fifth-place finish prior to Friday’s win. The freshman colt, owned by Ottawavalleyracingstable, has earned $11,000.

Wendell Blue Chip (Green Manalishi S, Colin Kelly) reached up to prevail in the third group. The gelding motored down the stretch from third and put his head in front under the wire to score in 1:59.2. Pocket-tripper Stonebridge Praise (Fillion) struck the front from the pocket but was nipped at the finish. Seeme Zoom (J. Bradley Harris) finished third after cutting the mile.

Wendell Blue Chip has now won two straight Grassroots legs after missing the board in his first two outings. Jared Bako conditions the freshman for Blue Chip Bloodstock and Daniel Zucker.

Racing will continue at Kawartha Downs on Friday, Aug. 16.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink