BELLEVILLE, ON — Glenburnie resident David Reid earned a trophy in the first Grassroots event of the season at Quinte Raceway on Friday evening when Tequila Dream captured the fastest of six divisions.
In rein to trainer Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, Tequila Dream blasted out from behind the starting gate and had seven lengths on the field when he swept by the quarter mile marker. Following the :29.4 opening quarter, Steacy slowed the tempo slightly through a 1:01 half and 1:32.2 three-quarters before picking things back up and coasting to the 2:02.3 victory.
Reid and Steacy share ownership on Tequila Dream with George Judson of Athens and James Feeley of Pine Bush, NY. The partners acquired the Yankee Paco colt as a yearling for $50,000 and readied him for the races last season, but the brother to $224,509 winner Meanstoyourdreams and $135,320 winner Schemin N Dreamin did not make his first start until April 29, 2005.
That Rideau Carleton Raceway outing was less than memorable, but Tequila Dream rebounded to post a win in qualifying action at Rideau Carleton and then posted a 12 length, 2:01.1 victory at Hippodrome de Montreal on May 13.
Tequila Dream’s most recent efforts impressed Quinte Raceway fans enough to earn him favoured status in Race 9 and he returned $4.80 to win, $2.70 to place and $2.10 to show. Runner-up Presidents Choice delivered $11.00 on a place ticket and $3.90 for a show wager, while Northern Patriot’s third-place effort was worth $3.00. The exactor returned $60.10 and the triactor was worth $72.90.
Reid and Steacy earned a second Ontario Sires Stakes pay cheque when Ambers Lavec finished third in the first Grassroots division, two and a half lengths behind winner Vallad and second-place finisher Hawkesbury, who is owned by trainer Kevin Benn and Dennis Chadwick of Napanee.
Vallad and driver Brad Rae rebounded from a miscue at the quarter pole to earn the narrow victory in 2:05.4. It was the Royal Ballad son’s second win of the season and his first in Grassroots action. Trainer Murray Brethour of Sunderland, Greg Judson of Athens and Daniel Sarafian of Stouffville share ownership on the gelding.
King Brent also scored an impressive come-from-behind victory in Race 4. In rein to owner and trainer Ivan Jamieson, the Wesgate Crown son sprinted down the stretch to nab favourite Prize Of Angus at the wire in 2:03.2. Claytons Valleylad rounded out the top three.
Wentworth, NS resident Jamieson shares ownership on King Brent, a finalist in last seasons Grassroots Championship, with Alan Fair of Ancaster.
The other three Grassroots divisions proceeded in more typical half-mile style, with the winner controlling the fractions throughout the race.
Cajaflyer held off late challenger Pleasure Valley and third-place finisher J M Wally to score a 2:05 victory in Race 5 for W G James Stables Ltd. of Blackstock and Donald Smith and Donna Parker of Hampton.
One race later Brylin Renegade eased around the Quinte oval to a 2:08 victory over favourite Balanced Boy and P C Conmeister. The CR Renegade son is owned by trainer Frank O’Reilly of Orton, John Jesson of Tillsonburg and John Holmes of Puslinch.
The other division saw favourite Looks Like Gold and trainer-driver Paul Skjaker put it on cruise control and sail across the wire four lengths up on CR Geronimo and eight lengths ahead of B Cor Brett. The Earl son stopped the clock at 2:07 for owners Terry and Clarence Devos of Langton and George Zirnis of Elmira.
The three-year-old trotting colts return to Grassroots action June 14 at Georgian Downs, while the Ontario Sires Stakes program is back in Belleville on July 15 with a Grassroots showdown for the exciting three-year-old pacing colts.