Momentarily grabs another Grassroots win

Momentarily (Control The Moment) bagged her third consecutive Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots harness racing victory on Friday (Sep. 9) at Woodbine Mohawk Park and now leads the three-year-old pacing filly division heading into the postseason.

Driver Louis-Philippe Roy exercised patience with the filly, only swinging her off second-over cover as they entered the stretch. Once there, Momentarily steamrolled by all five horses in front of her to score in 1:52.1. Fade Out (Doug McNair) circled the winner on the final turn but was outkicked and finished second over pacesetter Delight Bayama (Sylvain Filion).

MOMENTARILY REPLAY

Co-owner Daniel Lagace trains Momentarily, who has now started 21 times for seven wins and $84,476 in earnings. Ben Mudry of Toronto, Edwin Buhler of Wantagh, and Robert Van Ostrand of Lakeworth share ownership of the filly.

Warrawee Xpat (Sportswriter) cruised in the night’s other division and moved into second place in the standings. She cut the mile and won going away in 1:52.1, a new career-best time. Creme Delight (Filion) rode her pocket to a place finish. Dewitt For Josie (Jody Jamieson) raced on the rim for much of the mile but persevered for third.

WARRAWEE XPAT REPLAY

Warrawee Xpat has won six times and has earned $105,391 in 17 tries for owners Jeff Courchesne of Cambridge and Martwest Racing Stable of Mississauga. The Gabriella Sasso-trained filly has tried her luck at the Gold level, finishing fifth and sixth on two attempts. She has won two of her three Grassroots attempts this season.

The Grassroots semi-finals are up next. The three-year-old pacing fillies will battle at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Friday, Sep. 23 for spots in the final, which is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1.

Stakes action features on the next card at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The track will host the Champlain Stakes – one dash for each sex – three divisions of the Simcoe – two open and one for fillies – and a pair of Milton Stakes eliminations. The racing will kick off at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink