Winmebak fastest in Grassroots

Winmebak (Shadow Play) stood out with a fast mile in the Thursday (Aug. 31) Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots fourth leg for three-year-old pacing colts at geldings at Woodbine Mohawk Park.

The gelding took off from fifth for James MacDonald coming down the backstretch and closed down the first-up Ikes Dream (Louis-Philippe Roy) as they neared three-quarters. Winmebak then circled him and leader Sauble Ace (Bob McClure) down the stretch and stormed away to a three-and-a-quarter-length first-division score in 1:50.3. Sauble Ace held onto second over the closing Ahi Sunshine (Jonathan Drury).

WINMEBAK REPLAY

Winmebak has two of his three starts in the Grassroots this year. The 2022 Harvest Series winner is eight-for-16 lifetime and has earned $112,338. Nick Gallucci trains the gelding for Millar Farms of Stouffville.

Leave It To Leo (Bettors Delight) kicked off the MacDonald/Gallucci/Millar Farms double as he commanded the first division. He held off Hes Sure Good (Sylvain Filion) in the stretch with a half-length to spare in 1:51.3. Hes Sure Good finished second, and Reign Supreme (McClure) made a big late move to complete the triactor.

LEAVE IT TO LEO REPLAY

Leave It To Leo is five-for-seven in his rookie season, including Grassroots victories in both of his starts in the series. The sophomore has $52,750 in his coffers.

Santana Hanover (Big Jim, Filion) did the hard work to take the final split, marching first-up and muscling clear in mid-stretch to beat a four-horse line home in 1:51.3. Palladium Hanover (Travis Cullen) took second in that blanket finish over Joker On Jack (Tyler Borth).

SANTANA HANOVER REPLAY

Santana Hanover started the season at the Gold level but is now two-for-two in the Grassroots since dropping down on Aug. 13. The gelding placed in both the Battle of Waterloo an Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final last year and is now five-for-23 with $247,427 in earnings. Richard Moreau conditions him for Domenic Chiaravalle of Hamilton.

All three winners shot up the Grassroots standings with their wins. Ahi Sunshine took the division lead with his third-place finish upping his tally to 112 on the year. Sounds Good is now second with 111 points, and all three of tonight’s winners are tied for third. The final preliminary leg for three-year-old pacing males is set for Sep. 9 at Woodbine Mohawk Park. The post season will begin with the semi-final on Sep. 22.

Ontario Sires Stakes action continues at Woodbine Mohawk Park with three Gold divisions on Friday (Sep. 1).

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink