OTTAWA, ON — Ontario’s talented young trotters put on another outstanding show in Gold Final action at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Friday night.

The two-year-old trotting fillies stepped to centre stage in the Ottawa oval’s eighth race and, starting from Post 1, Seeuinthespring fired out to the front just like she did in last week’s elimination. The chestnut daughter of Striking Sahbra and driver Anthony MacDonald were two lengths ahead of the field by the time they reached the :28.2 quarter.

With elimination winners Angies Lucky Star and Charmed Life tucked in behind them, Seeuinthespring and MacDonald had control of the tempo and a one and one-half length lead at the :58.4 half and the 1:27 three-quarters, and the pair turned for home one length on top. Although Angies Lucky Star and Charmed Life did their best in the stretch, Seeuinthespring dug in and held on for a neck victory in a track record 1:57.1.

The mile matched the Ontario Sires Stakes record for two-year-old trotting fillies on a five-eighths mile track set by Torch at Kawartha Downs in 2007.

MacDonald engineered the win for trainer Paul Reid and owner-breeders Richard and Regina Beinhauer of Venetia, PA. Seeuinthespring finished second to Charmed Life in last week’s Gold Elimination after carving the early fractions, and Friday’s victory was her first in six starts.

Flanking the outstanding show by the freshman trotting fillies were seven Grassroots divisions for the two-year-old trotting colts.

Gregg McNair, who currently sits atop the Ontario Sires Stakes trainer standings, picked up two Grassroots trophies, with assistance from a pair of drivers engaged in their own war for top spot in the provincial program.

Sylvain Filion partnered with McNair trainee Buddy Hally in the first race and eked out a one-quarter length win for the youngster in a personal best 2:01. The fan favourite reeled in Dewer Kash and pacesetter Ale Ale Jandro to record his first Grassroots victory.

Guelph resident McNair trains Buddy Hally for his partners Howmac Farms Ltd. of North Wiltshire, PEI, breeder Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, PEI and Wayne MacRae of Fall River, NS. Friday’s win was the Angus Hall colt’s second, with his first coming on July 1 at Summerside Raceway in PEI, under the tutelage of Earl Watts.

Four races later Trevor Henry went to the post with McNair trainee Kennel Buddy and delivered a commanding performance that saw the Ken Warkentin son hit the wire three and one-half lengths ahead of favourite Krim Boughalem and four more in front of George S P. Kennel Buddy and Henry halted the Rideau Carleton teletimer at 2:00, a new personal best for the colt.

The trainer’s mother Gwendolyn McNair of Walkerton bred Kennel Buddy and mother and son share ownership of the colt, who now has two wins, one second and one fourth to his credit through four Grassroots starts.

Both Henry and Filion — who were sitting second and third, respectively, in the provincial driver’s standings heading into Friday’s event — picked up a second Grassroots victory.

Henry delivered back to back wins, urging Time Passes D to a three-quarter length triumph in the sixth race. The pocket sitters bested Oaklea Viper and Power Move with their 2:00.3 effort.

Maria Flink trains Time Passes D for Jean Pierre Dubois of Grand Valley. Friday’s start was just the Angus Hall son’s second lifetime.

Filion had to wait until the last Grassroots division to match his rival, guiding fan favourite North York home to a half-length victory in 2:01.3. The duo held off a charging Massive Hit and pocket sitter Two Doors Down, who is owned by trainer Rodney Zeron of Oxford Mills and Robert Montgomery of Carp.

Rene Laarman trains North York for owners Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein and Seth Rosenfeld of Los Angeles, CA. Through five Grassroots starts the son of former Ontario Sires Stakes stars Duke Of York and Wescott has tallied two wins, one second, one third and one sixth.

The other Grassroots trophies were captured by Muscle Max in 2:01.1; Home Brew in 2:01.2; and Green Strike in 2:02.1.

The two-year-old trotting colts make their last Grassroots start at Flamboro Downs on Sept. 14, while the two-year-old trotting fillies begin their last Gold Series event on Oct. 2 at Georgian Downs.

Rideau Carleton Raceway fans will be treated to another $130,000 Gold Final on Sunday evening as the high speed three-year-old pacing colts compete in the third event of their season. Post time for Sunday’s program, which also features the Frank Ryan Memorial Trot, is 6:30 pm.

For complete results please go to Rideau Carleton Raceway Results — August 24, 2012