ELORA, ON — Ross Battin piloted Monte Carlo Madam to the fastest win of six Grassroots divisions at Grand River Raceway on Friday evening, the first act of a stellar performance that landed him in the winner’s circle with two other freshman pacing fillies.

In the third race the veteran reinsman sent Monte Carlo Madam to the front from Post 5 and never looked back as the Camluck lass paced home to a two and three-quarter length victory in 1:59.2. Fan favourite Tyme Seelster settled for the runner-up’s share of the $17,591 purse and Pacific Yankee, owned by trainer-driver Darren James McCall of Guelph and Richard Thompson of London, rounded out the top three.

Linda Toscano trains Monte Carlo Madam for owner-breeders Enviro Stables Ltd. of New York, NY. Friday’s triumph was the filly’s second of the season and bumped her from thirty-fifth in the Grassroots standings to a two-way tie for fourteenth and a berth in the Oct. 8 Grassroots Semifinals at Georgian Downs.

Battin, who leads all drivers in the Ontario Sires Stakes program by 71 points with just six weeks remaining in the program, made his next visit to the winner’s circle aboard John Kopas trainee Kismet Killean in Race 6. The Monkton resident replicated his front end strategy from Post 4, and Kismet Killean cruised home to a four length victory over Fantasy Winner and Julies Operator in 2:01.

Campbellville resident Kopas trains Kismet Killean for his father Jack Kopas of Ilderton and George Hempt of Camp Hill, PA. The Run The Table miss has two wins, one second and one third to her credit through seven starts and wrapped up her Grassroots campaign with 75 points, just 10 shy of the 85 required for a berth in the Semifinal.

Battin and Kopas teamed up for a second time in the last Grassroots division as Awesome Beginning delivered an impressive 2:02.2 come from behind victory from Post 6. After sitting sixth through most of the mile, a bold three-wide move at the three-quarter pole moved Awesome Beginning within striking distance of the leaders and the Rustler Hanover daughter sprinted home to the quarter length triumph over Stolen Pleasure and Honorables Champ.

George Hempt also owns Awesome Beginning, who boasts a resume of three wins and one third in seven starts and clinched a berth in the Grassroots post season with Friday’s victory.

ICU Roller heads into the post season with a flawless record in Grassroots action after capturing her third straight Ontario Sires Stakes trophy in the fourth race. The Intrepid Seelster hit the wire two lengths up on Wendy Semalu and eight ahead of Beechwood Duchess in 2:00.3.

Diane Norris of Pompano Beach, FL and Clifford Grundy of Howell, MI bred and own ICU Roller, and Gregory Britton handles training duties on the winner of $27,205.

The other two Grassroots divisions went to Rebels Fantasy in 2:01 and CMR Maybe Loaded in 2:00.2.

The top 16 point earners will make their way to Georgian Downs next Saturday, Oct. 8 for a pair of Grassroots Semifinals that will pare the field down to eight for the Oct. 15 Grassroots Championship.

Friday’s Grassroots event wrapped up another outstanding year of Ontario Sires Stakes racing at Grand River Raceway. Elora and area fans were treated to nine OSS events and watched the province’s talented youngsters lower the track record on no less than six occasions. The provincial program will return to Grand River Raceway’s half-mile oval in 2006 when a fresh group of trotters and pacers will take a shot at the track’s record books.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgrvrfr.html