DUNDAS, ON — Guelph resident Paul MacDonell guided a pair of two-year-old trotting fillies to Grassroots victory at Flamboro Downs on Wednesday evening.
The reinsman made his first appearance in the winner’s circle following the second $17,161 Grassroots division, piloting Jonlinda to a gritty victory in her first Grassroots start.
Dance Baby Dance carved the :29.3, 1:01 and 1:31.2 fractions, but she was under heavy pressure from Jonlinda before the three-quarter pole and finally gave in down the stretch, allowing Jonlinda to claim the half length victory in 2:02.2. Windsong Erica finished well back of the duelling leaders in third.
Wednesday’s victory was Jonlinda’s first in eight attempts. The Angus Hall daughter started her season battling the top fillies in North America, and made two starts in the Gold Series before trainer Joe Stutzman of Campbellville and owner Robert Key of Leechburg, PA made the decision to drop her down to the Grassroots program.
MacDonell earned a second trip in front of the grandstand with Mark Steacy trainee Travelin Supergirl, who cruised to a one and a half length victory over Whatta Hotty and Ena Jane. The Kadabra daughter, bred and owned by Peter Heffering of Port Perry, hit the wire in 2:01.2 to record her second straight Grassroots victory.
With a total of three wins and one third in four Grassroots starts, Travelin Supergirl wrapped up the regular season with a total of 162 points, good enough for second spot in the division standings. The top 16 point earners will now begin preparations for the Oct. 20 post season at Kawartha Downs, where a top four finish in one of two $30,000 Semifinals will land the fillies in the $100,000 Grassroots Championship on Oct. 27.
Dr Sparky reclaimed her spot atop the division standings with a 2:02.2 victory in Race 8. Sitting behind pacesetter Live In Love through much of the mile, driver Aaron Byron found racing room in the stretch and urged Dr Sparky home to a half length score over Love Me Tomorrow and Warrawee June.
Karel Laarakkers of Sunderland owns and trains the Dr Ronerail daughter, who wrapped up her Grassroots regular season with 183 points earned through two wins, three seconds and one fourth.
Quintessential K and trainer-driver Terrence Tomlin matched Travelin Supergirl’s 2:01.2 clocking to share the fastest division time of the evening. The King Conch lass sailed home two lengths ahead of Ocean Mist Dynasty and Only Lonely.
Mitchell Walker of Davison, MI bred and owns Quintessential K, who boasts a record of five wins and two thirds in eight starts, and will advance to the Grassroots post season with 124 points.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Incredible Suater in 2:03.4 and Lisas Encore in 2:03.1.
Flamboro Downs fans will be treated to a second helping of Ontario Sires Stakes excitement this week as the two-year-old pacing colts wrap up their Grassroots regular season this Friday, Oct. 12 at 6 pm.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rflmdwe.html