SARNIA, ON — Reg Gassien piloted local colt Major Seelster to an impressive 1:55.4 victory in Grassroots action for the two-year-old pacing colts at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday evening.
Leaving from Post 5, the pair coasted away from the starting gate as Tough Luck sprinted to a :26.4 opening quarter, then rolled to the lead as things slowed down through the :57 half. The Jim Ainsworth trainee delivered a 1:26 third-quarter under heavy pressure from Random Rogue and hung tough down the stretch to score the quarter length victory. Tough Luck stayed game for second and Clothing Optional was three lengths back in third.
Sarnia resident Ainsworth shares ownership on Major Seelster with Rocknhorse Stables Canada of Sarnia, Martwest Racing Stable of Mississauga and William Boden of Vancouver, BC. The win was the colt’s second straight over his hometown course and his third of the season.
Added to the runner-up finish he delivered in his Grassroots debut at Kawartha Down on Aug. 24, the win boosted Major Seelster’s point tally to 75. Another strong finish in the regular season finale at Western Fair Raceway on Oct. 16 could see the young pacer advance to the Grassroots Semifinal at Hiawatha on Oct. 28.
Bob McIntosh trainee Little Sprout also came up with a victory in his second Grassroots start. The Camluck colt and driver Don McElroy employed a strategy similar to Gassien and Major Seelster’s, easing off the gate through a sharp first quarter and then taking command heading to the half. Pocket sitter Windsun Fire N Ice tried hard to reel the leaders in through the stretch, but Little Sprout dug in and came up with the fastest victory of the eight Grassroots divisions, stopping the clock at 1:54.1.
The win was the first for Little Sprout, who is owned by breeders Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of La Salle and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH.
Division leader The Thief padded his lead atop the point standings with a commanding 1:54.4 victory in Race 4. The Rustler Hanover son has been bested just once in Grassroots action and boasts a total of 212 points after five events. The win improved his season record to four wins and three thirds in eight starts for earnings of $74,280.
Acton resident Joe Hudon trains and drives the colt for his partners Murray Cox of Rockwood and Herbert Boggs of Duncan, BC.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Winning Matters in 1:56.1, Kentucky Rebel in 1:56.2, Jans Cam in 1:57.2, Armbro Cabot in 1:55.1 and Extreme Three in 1:55.4.
The two-year-old pacing colts wrap up their regular season on Oct. 16 at Western Fair Raceway, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday, Oct. 7 with Grassroots action for the three-year-old pacing fillies.