DRESDEN, ON — Dresden Raceway fans enjoyed a fun-filled afternoon of racing on Monday with seven divisions of three-year-old trotting colts jump starting their Grassroots season in impressive fashion.
Last season’s stars demonstrated their skills in the second division with Shady Suspect delivering a one-two punch to Knockout and Nichols Lavec down the stretch to score a quarter length victory in 2:04.2. Ross Battin drove the Incredible Abe son to the win for trainer Peter Clements and owners Curtis and Amy Clements of Dobbinton and Chad Clements of Chesley.
A three-time winner in the Grassroots program at two, including a division at Dresden Raceway last August, Shady Suspect now boasts a record of one win, one second and two fourth-place finishes in four starts this season.
Battin was back in the winner’s circle after Race 10 with Mr Avenger. The veteran reinsman opted for front-end tactics with the Mr Lavec son and the pair successfully held off favourite My Last Buck and Super Count to record the 2:03.2 win. Frank O’Reilly trains Mr Avenger for John Jesson and John Lessif of Tillsonburg and John Fielding of Toronto.
The quickest mile of the Grassroots program went to Schemin N Dreamin and trainer-driver Mark Steacy who led the Race 6 field through fractions of :30, 1:00.4 and 1:32.1 before roaring down the stretch to a 14 and three-quarter length victory in 2:02.3.
Lansdowne resident Steacy shares ownership on Schemin N Dreamin with David Reid of Kingston, Malcolm Man Son Hing of Nepean and Stan Klemencic of Trenton. T Js Incredible Lad and Zakos rounded out the top three behind the Incredible Abe son.
Windsor’s Kevin Wallis crafted an impressive trip for Robert Lavictoire in the final Grassroots division, overcoming Post 7 to record a 2:03.1 win over Mikie Will and Allpleasurenglory. Landing in seventh spot through the early going, Wallis and Robert Lavictoire gained ground with every step, putting a nose in front by the time the field of eight turned for home and extending it to one a three-quarter length margin.
Edward Vanderveer and Suzanne Lavictoire of St. Eugene bred and own the Wesgate Crown son, entrusting his conditioning to Gabriel Beaumont Cubist delivered the biggest upset of the afternoon, trotting to a 2:03.4 victory in the first race for trainer-driver Sally Foxworthy and owner Mel Gilbert of Hawkinsville, GA. Foxworthy and the Mr Lavec gelding took full advantage of Post 1 en route to the one and one-quarter length win over Zorgwijk Eagle and favourite Loose Change Louie.
The other two divisions went to Nobananas in 2:06.1 and Earl Of Openwood in 2:03.3.
The three-year-old trotting colts resume their Grassroots rivalry on June 13 at Clinton Raceway, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Dresden Raceway on Sunday, July 4 with the first Grassroots event for the two-year-old pacing colts.