GLOUCESTER, ON — Veteran reinsman Tom Strauss scored a driving double at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Friday evening, piloting the winners in two of four Grassroots divisions for the talented three-year-old trotting colts.
Strauss’s first visit to the Rideau Carleton winner’s circle came after Race 8 with Armbro Acme, who stalked pacesetter and fan favourite Royal Prophet through fractions of :29.3, 1:00 and 1:30 before sprinting home to a three length triumph in 1:59. Royal Prophet settled for second and Brantfords Best was three more lengths back in third.
Acton resident Strauss trains and drives Armbro Acme for Adventure Acres Limited of Campbellville. The Balanced Image son was making just his third start of the season on Friday, and scored his second victory in Grassroots action to move into a three-way tie for fifth spot in the division standings.
Two races later Strauss was back in front of the cameras with heavy favourite Diamond Turk, who also employed a come-from-behind strategy to score the 2:01 victory. Pacesetter Allegro Ballad faded to second and Whos Crown Royal picked up the third-place finisher’s share of the $24,460 purse.
Wilsonville resident Morley Bradshaw owns and trains Diamond Turk, who has a record of five wins and two seconds in nine starts this season. The Wesgate Crown son currently has sole ownership of fourth spot in the Grassroots point race, with 125 points earned from two wins and one second.
Mr Garjangles also made a leap up the standings with a victory in the first division. The Mr Lavec son and driver Ron Waples cruised effortlessly around the Rideau Carleton oval, tripping the teletimer at 1:59, for trainer Cal Campbell and owners Canamerica Capital Corp. of Milton, Doug Millard Holdings Inc. of Woodstock and Stephen Scarff of Bedford, NS.
The three and a half length victory over Jayport Express and Crampton Express was Mr Garjangles fifth of the year and his second in Grassroots action to give him a total of 100 points.
The other division went to Gold Series regular Ethen Seelster, who cruised around the five-eighths mile oval on the front end and then held off a late charge from At A Boy Eric down the stretch to score the 1:59.1 victory. At A Boy Eric was just a half length back in second and Turn That Down rounded out the top three.
Don McElroy drove the Mr Lavec son to the win, his first of the season, for trainer Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of La Salle, Dave Boyle of Bowmanville and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH.
The three-year-old trotting colts make their last Grassroots start at Georgian Downs on Oct. 14 before heading into post season action at Flamboro Downs on Oct. 26. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Rideau Carleton Raceway this Sunday evening with Gold Eliminations for the three-year-old pacing fillies.