ELORA, ON — Canada Day marked the end of the heat wave in Southwestern Ontario, but things were anything but cool at Grand River Raceway on Friday night as a trio of three-year-old fillies trotted into the half-mile oval’s history books.
Gaelic was the first to lower the former speed mark for sophomore trotting lasses, touring the Grand River track in an effortless 2:01. The Angus Hall daughter and driver Ray McLean, Jr. barely knew they were in a race as they maintained a two length margin between themselves and the remainder of the field throughout the mile. Busta Balls finished second in the $15,000 Grassroots contest, while Windsun Firstafair was well back in third.
Wayne Bloomfield trains Gaelic and the former Gold Series competitor is owned by Karen Carroll of Shedden. The win was the filly’s first of the season through eight outings.
Once race later Paco Dream pencilled her name in beside Gaelic’s with another 2:01 performance, this time off a pocket trip crafted by veteran reinsman Ross Battin. Aerial Victory trotted strongly into second while pacesetter Bernies Babe settled for third.
Jason Libby trains four time winner Paco Dream for Egbertha Postmus of Ingersoll. Third in the Grassroots season opener, the Yankee Paco daughter now has 62 points toward a berth in the season ending Grassroots Semifinal.
Finally, Zorgwijk Fallon wrapped up the Grassroots program and the trotting filly speed show with a 2:01 mile in Race 11. In rein to trainer Richard McNeill, the Wesgate Crown daughter earned her place in the history books with a front-end effort, besting K T Cha Cha and favourite Cheque Lavec.
James McNeill owns Zorgwijk Fallon, who was also a winner in the season opener and now leads the division race with a total of 100 points.
Arthur resident Ross Henry harnessed two winners in the eight race Grassroots event. Former Gold Series regular Lookit claimed an easy 2:01.2 victory in the first division, besting favourite Whatthehecklavec and Queen Of Scot, and Odee Tessa squeaked out a 2:03.3 victory in Race 10.
Wayne Henry piloted Royal Strength daughter Lookit to her first win of the season for his partners in the Henry Stable of Arthur and Wally Yantz of Bloomingdale, while brother Trevor Henry was in the race bike behind Odee Tessa for owner-breeder Virginia Odorico of Limehouse.
Draven finished a neck back of Odee Tessa in second and Allraes Super Girl claimed third, three-quarters of a length behind the leaders.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Emme Emme, owned by trainer Frank O’Reilly of Orton and John Fielding of Toronto, in 2:04.2; Lukes Elizabethann in 2:04; and Chuckalo Beckster in 2:02.2.
The three-year-old trotting fillies will leap back into the Grassroots fray on July 31 at Clinton Raceway, but Grand River Raceway fans will get a second look at the talented youngsters on July 15 when they return to Elora to compete in their second Trillium Series event.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgrvrfr.html