WOODSTOCK, ON — Ben Wallace shipped into Woodstock Raceway on Saturday afternoon with a trio of two-year-old pacing fillies and went home with three Grassroots trophies.

The Milton resident kicked off his rewarding afternoon in the first $20,289 Grassroots division when driver Mario Baillargeon piloted Ridere to a come-from-behind victory in 2:02.2. Mentalist finished one length back in second and Luxury Club was three more lengths back in third.

Wallace shares ownership on Ridere with John Palcit Holdings Inc. of Amherstburg. The partners acquired the Grinfromeartoear daughter for $25,000 US at last November’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale. Ridere prepped for her Grassroots debut with a 2:01.3 qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on June 17 and a fifth-place finish in a July 4 overnight event at Grand River Raceway.

Baillargeon drove all three winners for Wallace and the veteran reinsman used similar off the pace tactics to land Coalford Rustler in the winner’s circle after the second division. Leaving from Post 2, Baillargeon eased Coalford Rustler off the gate into fifth and watched as pacesetter Twin B Godiva paced off opening fractions of :29.3 and 1:00.3. Heading for the 1:30.3 three-quarters Baillargeon pulled the Rustler Hanover filly to the outside and the pair soon found themselves circling three-wire around a stalled Maman I Miss You.

At the top of the stretch Coalford Rustler had closed to within a length of the leader and a strong finishing kick propelled her to the 2:00.3 victory over Ja El Elegantmoves and Twin B Godiva.

Gary Maw of Littletown County Durham, ENG owns Coalford Rustler, a $9,500 yearling acquisition who finished fifth in a division of the June 24 Flamboro Breeders Stakes.

In the fourth division Baillargeon decided to try something different with Wallace trainee St Patty’s Love. Starting from Post 7 the pair sat fourth at the quarter pole before powering up to take the lead well before the halfway marker. On top by six lengths at the top of the stretch, St Patty’s Love gave up a little ground in the stretch, but still hit the wire three and one-quarter lengths ahead of Cunning Stunts and Vals Vision in 2:00.2.

Alfred Ross of South Dartmouth, MA bred and owns Mach Three daughter St Patty’s Love, who prepped for her provincial debut with a pair of qualifiers at Mohawk Racetrack on June 17 and 24.

Once Wallace and Baillargeon had finished their talent show, Tony Kerwood and Breathdefying stepped into the spotlight with the fastest mile of the five Grassroots divisions.

Sitting fifth at the :30.1 opening quarter, Breathdefying was headed for the front by the time the field hit the 1:00.4 half. The Intrepid Seelster daughter clocked a 1:30.3 three-quarters before sprinting down the stretch to the 1:59.4 victory. Iwantyou Wantyou and Lady Mach did their best to keep up, but had to settle for second and third.

LaSalle resident Bob McIntosh trains Breathdefying for his long time partners C S X Stables of Liberty Centre, OH. McIntosh and C S X Stables also bred and raised the filly, who earned fan favourite status at Woodstock on the basis of a smart 2:01.2 qualifying win at Windsor Raceway on June 28.

The other division went to Grace And Harv, who circled the Woodstock half-mile in 2:01.3 under the guidance of Dave Wall. Robert Oliver trains the Dexter Nukes lass for owner and breeder Douglas Beckett of Tara.

Freckly Sara and Amyng For Gold rounded out the top three in Race 7.

The two-year-old pacing fillies make their second Grassroots start on July 22 at Sudbury Downs, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement does not return to Woodstock Raceway until Saturday, Aug. 19 when the three-year-old trotting colts come to town for Grassroots action.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rwodsksa.html