LONDON, ON — Ontario’s two-year-old Grassroots competitors wrapped up the 2013 Ontario Sires Stakes season on an impressive note at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday evening.
Next season’s provincial stars gave London fans several heart-pumping finishes and one track record equaling mile in the eight $20,000 Grassroots Consolations. The record went to two-year-old pacing gelding Regal Babe, who rocketed home to a 1:54.4 triumph in the ninth race. The clocking equaled the track record for a two-year-old male pacer at The Raceway and gave Regal Babe his second win of the season.
Gregg McNair conditions Regal Babe for owner-breeder Rob Chapple of Chatham, ON and driver Doug McNair crafted the come-from-behind victory, which saw Regal Babe hit the wire five and one-half lengths ahead of Concert Artist and fan favourite King Royalty. The win boosted the Stonebridge Regal son’s earnings to $23,983 through nine freshman starts.
Driver Jody Jamieson picked up two Grassroots Consolation victories on Tuesday, with the first coming aboard freshman pacing filly Stellllllla in the third race. Jamieson guided the Mister Big daughter to a two and one-half length victory in 1:58.2, besting Hare To Eternity and Girlsgotmachzie.
Daryl Sherman of Elmore, OH bred and owns Stellllllla and David Menary trains the two-time Grassroots winner, who was sent off as the favourite by London fans.
The other pacing filly Consolation was captured by Brookdale Shadow and driver Sylvain Filion in 1:57.1.
Jamieson’s second visit to the winner’s circle came in the last Grassroots Consolation with pacing colt Allstar Seelster. The duo reeled in pacesetter Hunch Man in the stretch to claim the one and one-quarter length victory in 1:56. Opening Line was another length back in third.
Jack Darling of Cambridge, ON owns and trains Artistic Fella son Allstar Seelster, who posted a record of two wins, three seconds and two thirds in 11 starts this season.
The Grassroots Consolation program got under way with a nail biting finish by the two-year-old trotting fillies that saw Just Call Me Lady reel in pacesetter Bit A Magic to score her second Grassroots victory. Just Call Me Lady hit the wire one-quarter length ahead of Bit A Magic in a personal best 2:02.1. Majestic Jewel was two more lengths back in third, while fan favourite Lenny Mac settled for fourth after making an early miscue.
Cambridge, ON resident Blake MacIntosh trains Angus Hall daughter Just Call Me Lady for his partners Anne Campbell and Stephen Waldman of North York, ON, and Trevor Ritchie piloted the filly to both of her Grassroots wins.
Trevor Henry piloted Wonderland Snow to a commanding 2:01.3 triumph in the other trotting filly Consolation.
Trotting colts Crowningcrest and Rival Seelster also battled to a tight finish, with Crowningcrest prevailing by a neck over the favourite in 2:02.3. Conway Escape rounded out the top three.
Scott Coulter engineered the win for trainer Susanne Kerwood and owner-breeder Langcrest Farm of East Garafraxa, ON. The win was the Mutineer gelding’s second straight and his third on the season.
The other trotting colt trophy went home with Ramas Last Son, who was piloted to a 2:02.1 win by Steve Condren.
The two-year-old trotters and pacers will now enjoy a winter break from provincial racing action before they begin preparations for the 2014 Ontario Sires Stakes campaign.
For complete results please go to The Raceway at Western Fair District Results