INNISFIL, ON — Georgian Downs fans were treated to some impressive performances from the two-year-old trotting colts on Saturday evening, including a track record effort by Stormont Welldone in the first of five Grassroots divisions.
With local reinsman Stephen Byron in the bike, Stormont Welldone stalked pacesetters He Rocks and Kenny Boy through fractions of :28.3 and :59.1 before taking control of the race heading for the 1:29.2 three-quarters. As the colts powered around the last turn Stormont Welldone kicked into second gear and pulled away to an eight and one-quarter length victory in a track record 1:59.3, shaving more than two seconds off the 2:01.4 mark recorded by former OSS competitor Snoops Bytes in 2002.
Kenny Boy and Presidents Choice, owned by trainer-driver Keith Jones of Midhurst, earned the second and third-place finisher’s share in the $18,775 mile.
The win was the first in three tries for Balanced Image son Stormont Welldone, bred and owned by Stormont Meadows of Long Sault. Veteran trotting conditioner Norman Jones trains the chestnut colt and it was Byron’s second time in the race bike behind the youngster.
Three races later division leader Elaborateobsession came close to equalling the new record with a 1:59.4 romp that saw him reach the wire 13 and a half lengths ahead of Stonebridge Romeo and 28 up on E L Speed. The Elaborate Dream son boosted his Grassroots point total to 208 with the victory and improved his already impressive record to four wins in six starts.
Trainer-driver Jim Whelan of Troy bred the talented youngster and shares ownership on the colt with Clarence Devos of Langton.
Driver Tony Kerwood scored a pair of victories on the Grassroots program, guiding Zorgwijk Fortunate and BJs King to victory.
Zorgwijk Fortunate sailed around the five-eighths mile oval on the front end, reaching the wire four and a half lengths ahead of Wind Berndt and One Tough Night in 2:02.3. John Allen of Freelton and trainer Terry Allen of Carlisle share ownership on the Wesgate Crown son, a former Gold Elimination winner.
BJs King wrapped up the evening’s provincial program with a narrow 2:02 triumph over Lifes Victories and Wolfman Hall. Kerwood was at the lines behind the King Conch son for trainer David Furness and lessee Robert Key of Leechburg, PA.
The other division went to EL Leonard, who stopped the clock at 2:03.1 for owner Erkki Laakkonen of Georgetown. A Hay Luva Paige and Cuigottago rounded out the top three.
The two-year-old trotting colts wrap up their regular season on Oct. 17 at Rideau Carleton Raceway, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Georgian Downs next Saturday with Gold Elimination action for the three-year-old trotting colts.