DUNDAS, OCT. 17, 2001 – Sophomore pacing filly Private Session established herself as the early favourite to take home the 2001 Grass Roots championship winniing the fastest of five divisions at Flamboro Downs on Thursday afternoon.
The Dexter Nukes filly scorched around the Flamboro half-mile in 1:56.3 to record her fourth straight Grass Roots victory and boost her point total to 20.
Starting from the outside at Post 8, Private Session and driver Dave Wall landed in fourth through the early going, keeping a close eye on pacesetter Ardor Jamb. As the fillies rounded the final turn Wall sent Private Session after the lead and she responded with an impressive finishing kick that propelled her to the one half length decision over Ardor Jamb and Bobs Wish.
Kevin Isaac of Bridgenorth owns Private Session, who inflated her season earnings with a win in the Oct. 6 $100,000 Gold Series Final. Thursday’s victory pushed the fan favourite’s bank balance to $149,897.
Division leader Armeggedon posted the second fastest time of the five Grass Roots divisions with her 1:57.3 victory in the sixth race. Driver Randy Waples sent the race favourite straight to the front as the starting gate pulled away and the Pacific Rocket filly never glanced back, coasting home to the fourth length victory.
Owned by Brian Legge, Toronto, Robert Stewart, Oshawa and Dr. David Legge of Agax, Armeggedon has four wins, one second and one third from six Grass Roots starts this season for a total of 27 points.
One To Envy and Rowcrest Cam Beat rounded out the top three.
Babe Hall improved her Grass Roots record to five wins in six starts with a 1:58.2 victory in the first race. Stephen Byron opted to come from off the pace and his strategy worked perfectly as the fan’s top choice took command down the stretch and hit the wire three and one half lengths ahead of Babe Hall and Corel.
Trainer David Byron of Thornton, Charles and Maryann Byron and Sit N Go Stables of Barrie own Babe Hall, whose earnings edged above $100,000 lifetime with the win.
The other two divisions also went to favourites. Hurtin N Flirtin clocked a 1:59.1 victory for trainer Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of Windsor, Paul Ysebaert of Mooretown, Al McIntosh of Leamington and CSX Stables of Liberty Centre, OH, while El Nina posted her third straight win in the eighth race. W J J Stable of Windsor own the talented pacer.
The top 16 points earners through the season move on to a pair of $20,000 Grass Roots Semifinals at Hiawatha Horse Park on Oct. 25, with the top four finishers from each Semifinal then advancing to the $100,000 Grass Roots Championship on Nov. 1.
Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Flamboro Down on Saturday, Oct. 27 when the three-year-old pacing colts wrap up their Gold season.