DRESDEN, ON — Lexilowguy scored one for the local team in the first of nine Grassroots divisions at Dresden Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

With veteran reinsman Tony Kerwood in the race bike, three-year-old pacer Lexilowguy shadowed pacesetter Eh through fractions of :29, :59.3 and 1:28.4 before bursting out in the stretch to post a half length victory in 1:57.1. Fan favourite Eh was forced to settle for second, with Regil Tiger rounding out the top three.

William and Mark Dorssers of Blenheim share ownership on the homebred Lexilowguy, entrusting his daily care to trainer Patrick Fletcher. Sunday’s outing was the Astreos gelding’s third sophomore start and his first ever trip to the winner’s circle. Victory in Sunday’s $24,000 Grassroots division more than doubled the pacer’s lifetime earnings to $20,125.

One race later, Sterling Chris clocked the sharpest mile of the afternoon, returning to the form that saw him capture a Grassroots Semifinal and finish third in the Championship as a two-year-old. Anthony Haughan guided Sterling Chris to the 1:56.2 victory, sending the Astreos son straight to the front from Post 3 and clocking all the fractions en route to a one and three-quarter length victory over Thunderfist and fan favourite Beautiful Soul.

Toronto resident John Fielding bred and owns Sterling Chris, who now boasts seven wins to his credit through 16 lifetime starts, and James “Friday” Dean trains the talented pacer.

Haughan was back in the Dresden winner’s circle one race later, delivering another front end victory aboard Medoland Glenno. Firing out of Post 2, the pair rolled through fractions of :28.1, :58.2 and 1:27.3 without facing a challenge. The duo hit the wire in 1:57.2, one and a quarter lengths ahead of Astronomer. Long shot King Pete, owned by James Napper of Ridgetown, finished third.

Sunday’s triumph was the gelding’s second lifetime, with his first also coming over the Dresden Raceway half-mile. As a two-year-old Medoland Glenno started his Ontario Sires Stakes career at the Gold Series level before dropping down to the Grassroots, where he was victorious at Dresden in late September. Ruairi McNulty of Moy, Ireland owns the Western Maverick son — who boosted his earnings to $64,180 with Sunday’s victory — with Meg Crone handling training duties.

Driver Brad Forward also guided two mounts to Grassroots glory at Dresden on Sunday. With Ervin Miller trainee Shortstacked, Forward used come-from-behind tactics to land the fan favourite in the winner’s circle, and one race later opted to control the pace with Bob McIntosh pupil Layton Seelster.

Starting from Post 1 with Shortstacked, Forward eased the colt off the starting gate and watched from mid-pack as Larry The Legend and PW Tootsie battled for control through fractions of :29.3, :59.2 and 1:27.3. As the pacesetters tired through the last turn, Forward urged the fan favourite Shortstacked down the stretch to a 1:58.2 triumph, two lengths ahead of Roberto and Artsbred Camotion.

Trainer Miller, who makes his home in Springfield, IL, shares ownership on Shortstacked with Omer Miller of Humboldt, IL and Nelson Herschberger of Tuscola, IL. The partners have enjoyed some thrilling evenings at the racetrack with Shortstacked, who captured 10 of 12 starts as a two-year-old, including three Grassroots divisions and a Grassroots Semifinal. Sunday was the Astreos son’s second sophomore start; he prepped for the Grassroots season opener with a runner-up finish in overnight action at Yonkers Raceway on June 15.

With Post 4 in the ninth race, Forward had Layton Seelster in high gear from the start and the Western Maverick gelding cruised around the Dresden oval to a commanding eight length victory in 1:57.2. RM Rubicon finished second, while favourite Stand By Cam recovered from an early break to pick up the third-place cheque.

Windsor resident McIntosh shares ownership on Layton Seelster with Dwight Stacey of Mitchell. Unraced at two, Layton Seelster has amassed two wins, two seconds and one third in seven starts this season for earnings of $23,185.

The other Grassroots divisions were captured by The Ladies Man in 1:57; All Out in 1:59.1; Couisin Nate in 1:57.4; and Alexie Mattosie in 1:57.

The three-year-old pacing colts make the second stop on their 2009 Grassroots tour July 7 at Woodstock Raceway. Dresden Raceway fans have to wait until Sept. 7 for their next dose of Ontario Sires Stakes action — a Grassroots battle between the top two-year-old trotting colts.

For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/racing/results/data/r0621dresn.dat.