Rookie trotters strut their stuff in OSS Grassroots

Two-year-old trotting harness racing horses were on display Tuesday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the OSS Grassroots. There were three divisions for each sex going for $20,000 apiece.

An upset in the first OSS Grassroots for two-year-old trotting colts & geldings set the tone for the night. Northern Drifter came from post ten and charged to the front end. After posting an opening quarter of Houston Seelster battled for the early lead. Houston Seelster chased down the leader and took the front end just before the half.  

It wasn’t long before Norther Drifter took the lead back and continued to charge down the stretch. With a couple-length lead and the clock reading 1:27.4 at the three-quarter station, Northern Drifter looked to be in the clear. However, Hp Lucas (Alarm Detector) had a different place and closed out the race with a 29.2 last quarter which gave him juice to earn the victory in 1:58.2.

The Ben Baillargeon-trained gelding went off at 15-1 when the betting windows closed. It was Hp Lucas’s first win in three career starts. The Quebec-bred trotter is owned by Claude Hamel and Danielle Fournier.

Northern Drifter (Bob McClure) held on to second while Houston Seelster (Travis Cullen) captured third.

HP LUCAS REPLAY

The next split for the Grassroot trotting boys saw the 3/5 favourite, Hay Dad (Muscle Mass) also pick up his first career win. Initially, it looked like Hay Dad and reinsman, Bob McClure would be comfortable with a pocket spot right behind the Louis-Philippe Roy-driven, P L Spencer but before the field could complete the first turn, a battle for the front was on.

After a 28.3 first quarter, Hay Dad was able to clear fully to the front and established sole possession of the lead. He sent middle fractions of 58.0 and 1:27.3 before closing out the race with a 29.1 final quarter mile. The clock stopped at 1:56.4 for the Mark Estell-trained gelding.

With P L Spence going off stride just before the stretch drive, it opened the door for The Bear A Cuda (James Macdonald) to finish second and Modelo Gold (Dagfin Henriksen) to rally for third.

HAY DAD REPLAY

The third and final split on the gentlemen’s side went to Wendell Blue Chip (Green Manalishi S) and Doug McNair. Post ten did not stop them from grabbing the early lead and opened the race in 29.1. The Governor (Michael Whelan) grew bored and popped from the three-hole. He blew by both Gravenhurt (Sylvain Filion) and Wendell Blue Chip.

The middle fractions were 59.1 and 1:30.1 respectively. It wasn’t until well down the stretch that Wendell Blue Chip regained the front end and scored in 1:58.1. A solid 28.1 last quarter was needed for the young Jared Bako-trained trotter to blow by the opposition for his first career win.

The Governor held onto second place while Gravenhurt remained third after being passed around the half.

WENDELL BLUE CHIP REPLAY

Wells Fargo (Muscle Mass) kicked off the fillys’ side with a 7-1 upset of her own. Race Director took the early lead and set the tone with a 27.4 opening quarter. She went off stride which opened the door for Rich Girl (Bob McClure) to secure the front end.

After a setting middle fraction of 58.2 and 1:28.4, it was time to see if she had enough to hold. However, Wells Fargo had just a bit more juice left and won in 1:57.2 after a 28.2 last quarter.

It was Well Fargo’s first win in only her second career start. She is coming off a disappointing sixth-place finish, but Shawn Steacy is likely very happy with his filly’s big bounce back.

Rich Girl did hold onto second place while Eartha K (James Macdonald) joined the party in third.

WELLS FARGO REPLAY

The second split for the fillies went to Ivy Lynn (Green Manalishi S) even after being caught out wide early. She and Sylvain Filion fought hard to get to the front end after a 28.0 first quarter. She then took the lead and never looked back. Ivy Lynn set fractions of 59.0, and 1:28.1 and stopped the timer at 1:57.4.

After finishing seventh in her debut, she has bounced back to second place and two wins. Her previous win was a bit faster in 1:57.0 but she got to the front end a lot easier in that mile. Ivy Lynn has picked up two of the nine training wins this year for Jean Touringy.

Wilma Fingerdo (Nicholas Boyd) was the clear second best while Dartford (James Macdonald) lunged late to be on the ticket.

IVY LYNN REPLAY

After back-to-back failed attempts to even finish in the top three, the Resolve-sired Core Resolve finally got the job done. She got to the inside first, but Sister Sara (Doug McNair) wanted the front end a bit more. As the field straightened down the backstretch, Sister Sara was fully in command, and she would sit in front for most of the race.

Sister Sara set fractions of 29.1, 1:00, and 1:30.1 before Core Resolve found space deep stretch to edge out the win. The final time read, 1:58.4 which meant Core Resolve ended the race with a 28.1 last quarter.

Sister Sara had just enough left to hold onto second with Alarming (Louis-Philippe Roy) charging late.

CORE RESOLVE REPLAY

Action resumes at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Thursday (Aug. 1) at 7:10 p.m. EDT with another 10-dash card. The card features Leg 2 of the Pure Ivory, Millard Farms and Whenuwishuponastar.

For complete race results, click here.

by Trey Colbeck, for Harnesslink