FRASERVILLE, ON — Upsets were the name of the game at Kawartha Downs on Saturday night as the three-year-old trotting colts competed in the second Grassroots event of their 2002 season.
Willing And Abel was the only favourite from the six divisions who made an appearance in the winner’s circle, scoring a commanding four and one-half length victory over Cyclone Artie and Royal Hope. Larry Walker engineered the 1:59.4 win for the Incredible Abe son, landing in second off the gate and taking control of the pace before the three-quarter marker.
Robert Hummel trains the winner of $36,352 for Whitesand Valley Stables of Schomberg and, after two Grassroots starts, Willing And Abel sports a perfect record in Ontario Sires Stakes action.
Of the upset victors, Jetset Matt clocked the quickest mile, stopping the teletimer at 1:58.3 with an impressive finishing kick. Leaving from Post 3 Don McElroy and Jetset Matt sat at the back of the field until the colts turned for home, then cranked up the engine to charge in for the half length victory over Razzle Royale. Favourite J Ls Sunny Boy finished third while early pacesetter Muskoka Connection had to settle for fourth.
Trainer Budd Thorne of Fergus shares ownership on Jetset Matt with Barbara Lennox of Orton, Joanne Everson of Grand Valley and Terry Taylor of Whitby.
The biggest pay out of the evening came in Race 5 when favourite Bizziman made an early break and left the door wide open for a long shot to deliver the goods. Armbro Wizard, Crystal Image and Lavic Dol responded and not one person in the Fraserville grandstand had all three colts listed on their triactor ticket.
Armbro Wizard, trained by Brad Maxwell for Hyatt Holdings Inc. of Milton, Doug Millard of Woodstock and Christina Maxwell of Ayr, returned $9.10, $5.30 and $3.10. Crystal Image returned $119.40 and $6.60 for his second-place effort and Lavic Dol paid $8.00.
Balanced Image son Armbro Wizard improved his 2002 record to two wins, one second and one third in seven starts with the 1:58.4 win.
Local trainer John Bax had to scratch one of his two entries, but Northern Beau delivered a solid third-place effort behind Groovy Grant and Abes Son in the second division.
Trainer Jim Whelan shares ownership on Groovy Grant with Mary, Terry and Clarence Devos of Langton. The Royal Strength colt finished second in the Grassroots Series opener in his first lifetime start and now sports an impressive record of two wins and a second in just four starts.
The other divisions went to Y Chance It in 1:58.4 and Robby Hershey in 2:00.1.
The sophomore trotting colts return to Grassroots action on Canada Day, July 1 at Dresden Raceway. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement will make a second stop in Fraserville on July 13 when the two-year-old trotting colts will make their debut in Gold Series Eliminations.