LONDON, ON — A pair of local three-year-old trotting colts earned Grassroots trophies at Western Fair Raceway on Tuesday afternoon, but Ballykeel Mike and Abe Linkin made their way to the winner’s circle in very different fashion.
In the third $20,000 Grassroots division, Ballykeel Mike made an early break, spotting the field more than nine lengths and coughing up the advantage he should have gained by starting from Post 1. Fortunately, trainer-driver Brent Belore was able to collect the colt quickly and get him back into the action. Nine and one-quarter lengths back at the :30.1 quarter, Ballykeel Mike was only seven lengths off the pace by the 1:00.2 half.
As pacesetter Jeffs Night Out led the field by the three-quarters in 1:30.4, Belore tipped Ballykeel Mike out three-wide to dodge a stalling George Daniel. The move allowed Jeffs Night Out to open up a four and a half length lead around the final turn, but when Belore asked Ballykeel Mike for another gear in the stretch, the young trotter powered by the tiring pacesetter to claim a one length victory in 2:02.1.
Northern Twist rounded out the top three, over eight lengths to the rear of the leaders.
Embro resident Belore drives and trains Ballykeel Mike for Ballykeel Racing of Tillsonburg. The win marked the colt’s first trip to the winner’s circle this season in eight starts and boosted his lifetime earnings to $38,791.
While Ballykeel Mike had to fight for his victory, Abe Linkin made it look like an afternoon stroll in the park. Starting from Post 5 in the fifth Grassroots division, driver Dave Wall fired the Incredible Abe gelding off the gate and reached the opening quarter in :29.4. The fan favourites continued to march around the Western Fair oval unchallenged by their peers, hitting the half in 1:01.2 and the three-quarters in 1:31.4 before cruising home to a two and one-half length victory in 2:02.4.
Actifate Loral snagged the runner-up’s share of the Grassroots purse, and Call Me Butch rounded out the top three.
Dr. Joan Gough of Mount Brydges bred, owns and trains Abe Linkin, who has netted three wins, four seconds and three thirds in 15 lifetime starts for earnings of $58,426.
The win was the third of three straight “Mr. OSS” Dave Wall would engineer on the evening. The Komoka resident smiled for his first win photo after piloting Lexis Jersey to victory in a non-winners contest in the fifth race, then picked up his first Grassroots win of the evening in Race 6 with Windsun Pride.
Starting from Post 3, Wall floated Windsun Pride off the gate and settled in third on the rail as fan favourite Badonkadonk powered to a :29.1 opening quarter and a :59 half. When pocket sitter P L Broadway Joe stepped to the outside heading for the 1:29.4 three-quarters, Wall sent Windsun Pride along for the ride.
Turning for home P L Broadway Joe was on top by one and a quarter lengths, but Windsun Pride accelerated down the stretch to claim a 2:00 victory, the fastest mile of the seven Grassroots divisions. P L Broadway Joe earned second-place honours, while Golden Genes Hall closed well to finish third and knock Badonkadonk out of the top three.
Phil Coole of Puslinch trains Windsun Pride for his partners Stoney Island Stable of Kincardine and Dr. Peter Johnston of Peterborough. The Angus Hall son boosted his record to four wins in eight starts with his victorious Ontario Sires Stakes debut.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Strong Hall in 2:02.3; P C Moonshine in 2:00.4; Dillavec in 2:03; and Sonny Mcdreamee in 2:02.2.
The three-year-old trotting colts resume their Grassroots rivalry at Rideau Carleton Raceway in Ottawa on June 15, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues to build at Western Fair toward this Friday’s $140,000 Gold Final for the gifted three-year-old pacing fillies.
For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rlontu.html