SARNIA, ON — Doug Brown piloted Princetown Michael to the fastest win in six Grassroots divisions at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday evening.
The veteran horseman sent the U S Open son directly to the front from Post 2 and never saw a challenger, coasting under the wire six lengths up on Nichols Lavec and Mr Avenger. The 2:01.3 victory was Princetown Michael’s second of the season and boosted his earnings to $13,927 for owners Russel Newman of North Sydney, NS and John Rogers of Summerside, PEI.
Brown also posted a runner-up finish on the Grassroots program, steering Trudel into second spot behind Earl Of Openwood.
Dave Boughton and Earl Of Openwood stalked pacesetter and fan favourite Incredible T J throughout the mile and then kicked into high gear down the stretch to record the two length win in 2:02.3. Incredible T J settled for the third-place finisher’s share of the $18,000 purse.
Frank Szasz trains Earl son Earl Of Openwood for owner and breeder Ena Szasz of Bolton.
Larry Walker and Mathers Lavec scored the biggest upset of the evening, storming from fourth to first down the stretch to steal the 2:02.4 victory over pacesetter T Js Incredible Lad and Robert Lavictoire in Race 2.
The Mr Lavec son, trained by Walker for Springs Eternal Stable of Sutton West, returned $22.80 for the win, $6.80 to place and $7.30 to show. T Js Incredible Lad’s runner-up effort was worth $6.80 and $6.50 and Robert Lavictoire’s fans earned $7.70 on a $2 show wager. The exactor returned $193.30 and the triactor was worth a rich $1,424.90.
Tyrone Burberry dealt division leader Shady Suspect his first loss in the Grassroots program with an impressive 2:03.2 effort in the tenth race that saw him hanging out on the outside through much of the mile. Don McElroy piloted the King Conch son to the half length victory for trainer Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of La Salle and breeder Dave Boyle of Bowmanville.
Zorgwijk Eagle landed second-place honours, while Shady Suspect settled for third.
The other two Grassroots divisions went to Parkside Brad in 2:04 and E L Luxury Trade in 2:02.2.
The two-year-old trotting colts make their final Grassroots start at Windsor Raceway on Oct. 18, while Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday with five Grassroots divisions for the two-year-old trotting fillies.