Henry, Millar Farms team split OSS Grassroots divisions

LONDON, MAY 27, 2022 – The four $22,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions on the $414,000 Camluck Classic presented by Seelster Farms card at The Raceway at the Western Fair District were split between harness racing driver Trevor Henry, and the driver-trainer-owner trio of James MacDonald, Nick Gallucci, and Millar Farms.

The first of four Grassroots divisions for three-year-old pacing fillies went in race two with Henry driving Fade Out, a daughter of Sportswriter, to a come from behind win.

The Arthur, Ont., resident positioned the filly sixth at the quarter-pole, settling off a 56.4 half-mile pace set by Louis-Philippe Roy and Addictivebehaviour, before moving past everyone over the next quarter mile and winning by two lengths.

“It was a really good trip,” said Henry. “They slowed up the third quarter and I think it kind of caught Louis off guard a bit. She felt good, and that’s why I moved her there. She raced great.”

Fade Out, a trainee of Gregg McNair, now has $113,141 in OSS earnings for McNair and his ownership partners Dean Lockhart and McKinlay & Fielding.

In race four, the second Grassroots division, Henry drove Goudawon (Betterthancheddar) to a gate-to-wire win. Leaving from post two, he manoeuvred the filly into first position by the quarter-pole and never looked back.

Halfway through the evening the former top driver at the London oval was enjoying his return.

“I like it here, and I have some fairly live drives, so that makes it nice, and everything is good,” said Henry.

It was the second career Grassroots victory for the Murray Brethour trainee and pushed her over $40,000 in career earnings for owners Brenda, Mark, and Anthony Lane of Norwood, Ont.

SECOND HALF BEGINS

The final two Grassroots divisions saw Millar Farms homebreds trained by Nick Gallucci take over, with James MacDonald in the race bike.

In division three, and race six, MacDonald piloted Velvet Stinger (Bettors Delight) home in a final quarter mile of 29.0 to overtake Girl in a Tavern and hold off Power Of An Angel.

“She has such a good late kick that I was able to flip her three deep in the turn, and that’s where she paces her best,” said MacDonald. “Velvet Stinger was Velvet Stinger. She hipped and skipped but got there first.”

The filly is now two for two as three-year-old, after being held out of the winners circle in her novice campaign.

Raptors Won (Big Jim) followed in her namesakes’ footsteps and won the final Grassroots division of the evening, the eighth race on the card. Leaving from the rail as the odds-on favourite, she didn’t disappoint her backers.

“She’s a nice big strong filly,” said MacDonald. “I put her on the gate, and when it opened, it was the first time I’ve asked her, and she blasted pretty good.”

The filly held off a late charge from Jody Jamieson, and Warrawee Xpat to win by a length. She was unraced at two, but now has two wins on the season, to go along with a pair of second place finishes.

“When Jody popped down the stretch, she had a lot left,” said MacDonald. “Like I said, she’s a big strong filly, and I’m expecting a lot from her this year.”

To view updated OSS Standings, click here.

Jimmy Freight highlighted Camluck Classic card with a sizzling first-over victory. Top mares competed for the $50,000 Forest City Pace, and Ontario-sired sophomores battled for four City of London finals. To read the full story, including race replays, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

From the Ontario Sires Stakes