SARNIA, ON — SOS Hotshot delivered an impressive performance in Grassroots action at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday evening to claim her first Ontario Sires Stakes victory in a sharp 2:00.3.
Mark MacDonald piloted the two-year-old trotting filly to the victory from Post 4, taking control just past the half and cruising home well in hand. Early pacesetter and fan favourite Zorgwijk Emani finished two and a half lengths back in second while third-place finish Scratchthatitch was 14 lengths behind the leading duo.
Trained by Harry Poulton for Les Inv Richelois of Montreal, QC, the Chief Litigator daughter improved her record to three wins and two seconds in seven starts with the win, and jumped up the Grassroots point standings into the top 16, in line for a berth in the Oct. 24 Grassroots Semifinal at Western Fair Raceway.
D Js Magic also delivered a quick mile in the first of the five Grassroots divisions to earn a spot among the top point earners. The Mr Lavec daughter and Terry Kerr left sharply from Post 8 and controlled the pace through fractions of :28.3, :59.2 and 1:29.4, then cruised home to a 2:01 victory three lengths ahead of favourite Marclif Victoria and Indys Kylee.
Gary Payne trains D Js Magic for breeder and owner Mike Joyce Stables Inc. of London. Saturday’s victory was the filly’s first in four starts and, added to earlier second and fourth-place finishes in the Grassroots Series, gives her a total of 83 points.
Both Lexus Lulu and Cassatt maintained their unbeaten streaks in Grassroots action with victories in the seventh and eighth races. Ross Battin piloted Lexus Lulu to a 2:03.2 victory over C R Image and Reigning Image for owner and trainer Norm Dunstan of Inglewood. The Angus Hall daughter captured her first Grassroots event at Hanover Raceway on Aug. 23 before trying her hand against the top North American fillies in the Champlain and Oakville Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack.
Mr. OSS Dave wall stepped into the race bike behind Cassatt in the last division and piloted the Earl daughter to a remarkable 19 length victory over Im On My way and E B Maggy. The pair took command from Post 7 and had established a five length lead before the quarter pole. Favourite P C Dreams and Ross Battin attempted to close the gap through fractions of :28.2, 1:01.3 and 1:31.4, but went off stride at the three-quarter marker, leaving Cassatt all along on the front.
Charlambos Christoforou of Campbellville owns and trains Cassatt, who has accumulated three wins, one second and one third in five starts.
The other division went to Randy Fritz and French Brocade, who scored a wire-to-wire victory in 2:06 for trainer Susanne Kerwood and owners Norman and Isabelle Vartanian of Hamilton. Windsong Anastasia and Billabong rounded out the top three.
The two-year-old trotting fillies have one opportunity remaining to earn points toward the post season — Windsor Raceway on Oct. 12. From there the top 16 point earners will advance to the Oct. 24 Semifinals, which will determine the finishers in the $100,000 Grassroots Championship one week later.
Ontario’s talented two-year-old pacing fillies will make their final Grassroots stop at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday, Oct. 16, the last Ontario Sires Stakes event on the Sarnia oval’s 2003 schedule.