ELORA, ON — Victoria Day at Grand River Raceway will feature three divisions of Ontario Sires Stakes royalty as the three-year-old trotting fillies kick off their 2007 season.
One of the most exciting divisions on the provincial circuit last year, with the top six fillies all earning more than $100,000, Monday’s Trillium Series will be a testing ground for last year’s stars and a host of newcomers to the program. Among the fillies hoping to carve out a spot in the upper echelons of the division is Ron Waples trainee Paradox Hanover.
“Hopefully she’ll mature a little as the summer goes on, and hopefully she does some good for us,” says Waples, who shares ownership on the King Conch daughter with Larry Cornwall of Glenburnie, ON.
The Guelph resident acquired Paradox Trillium as a yearling in 2005 after campaigning her full brother Ashanti through his two, three and four-year-old seasons. A talented trotter, Ashanti was plagued with health issues that Waples was hoping Paradox Trillium would not inherit, but the filly has presented her own set of challenges to the Hall of Fame horseman.
“I’ve been high on her. I like her and everything,” explains Waples, “But she still has some of the things he had.”
Through 18 starts, seven as a two-year-old and 11 this season, Paradox Trillium sports a record of two wins, one second, two thirds and earnings of $30,631. Her best effort came April 1 at Woodbine Racetrack, when she captured an overnight event in 1:59.3.
On the plus side, Paradox Trillium also inherited her sibling’s affable disposition and has already introduced more than one person to the joys of driving a harness racehorse.
“I have a double seated jogger, and when I take people out for a ride for Woodbine Entertainment, she’s the one I always use,” notes Waples. “She’s a pleasure to be around. She doesn’t pull or anything. She just goes out and does her thing. And she loves attention, kids or anybody else, she just loves attention.”
Waples will be alone in the race bike on Monday, sending the filly after a share of $23,970 from Post 6 in the ninth race. The pair will be looking for a solid effort against a field of seven that includes recent Flamboro Breeders Stakes winner Paris Oaks.
“I haven’t made up my mind 100 per cent whether to go Gold or Grassroots with her,” reflects Waples. “I’ll play that by ear I guess.”
The other two Trillium Series divisions, open to fillies owned by Ontario residents, go postward as Races 3 and 7 on Grand River Raceway’s holiday Monday program. First race post time at the Elora oval on Monday is 7:30 pm.
For complete entries please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/entries/data/egrvrmo.html