DUNDAS, ON — Dashing Earl delivered a stylish victory in the first of three $20,000 Grassroots divisions at Flamboro Downs on Wednesday evening.
With Milton resident Randy Waples in the race bike, Dashing Earl sat in the middle of the pack though much of the mile before sprinting down the stretch to claim a four and one-quarter length victory in 2:04.2. Zorgwijk Javelin also closed well to finish second, while Striking Lightning overcame an early break to earn the third-place finisher’s share of the $20,000 purse.
Richard Gillock trains Dashing Earl for breeder Robert Key of Leechburg, PA and prepped the Earl son for his Grassroots debut with a July 9 qualifier at The Meadows, where he trotted home in 2:05.3.
The second Grassroots division saw Carlisle resident Dave Boughton and Bertos Legacy shadow Trevor Henry and Fiesty Dan through fractions of :30, 1:01.3 and 1:33.2 before sweeping down the stretch to post a two and three-quarter length victory in 2:04.3. Fiesty Dan had to settle for second, while Delcrest Maple overcame Post 7 to finish third.
A $5,200 yearling purchase at last fall’s Canadian Open Sale, Bertos Legacy went into Wednesday’s contest off an impressive 2:06.1 qualifer at Mohawk Racetrack on July 11, over a rain-soaked track rated two seconds slower than normal. The qualifier was the Mutineer son’s second and followed a less than successful start over Grand River Raceway’s half-mile oval on July 7 where he finished last after taking very few trotting steps.
Vangogh Lavictoire delivered a masterful performance in the last Grassroots split, taking control of the race just after the :31.2 opening quarter and stepping off a 1:04.1 half and 1:34.4 three-quarters before cruising under the wire in 2:04.4. Pembrook Street was two and three-quarter lengths back in second and fan favourite St Lads Boomer was forced to settle for third.
Pierre Desjardins trains and drives Vangogh Lavictoire for Luigi Di Campo of Montreal, who offered up $8,000 for the Dr Ronerail son at the CESQ sale. The half-brother to $196,487 winner Steffy Lavictoire now has three qualifiers, one fifth-place finish in a maiden event at Rideau Carleton Raceway and one Grassroots victory to his credit.
The two-year-old trotting colts make their second stop on the Grassroots circuit July 27 at Clinton Raceway, while Flamboro Downs fans will be treated to an action-packed menu of Gold Final action this weekend. On Friday the two-year-old pacing fillies battle in their first $120,000 Gold Final and $20,000 Gold Consolation, while the two-year-old trotting fillies take centre stage on Sunday evening. Post time for both programs is 6 pm.
For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rflmdwe.html.