Blue Jean Gal glided home with the greatest of ease to take the $75,000 Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots Final for 2-Year-Old Trotting Fillies on Saturday night (Sept. 27) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
The curtain-raising performance of the evening’s stakes-laden OSS Grassroots action was certainly worthy of headliner status.
It was Blue Rare who swept to the early lead, followed by Rare Legacy, Makina Run For It and Miss Mass Appeal, while Jean Bernard Renaud looked to guide 4-5 mutuel choice Blue Jean Gal to the pylons entering the first turn, but had to press pause momentarily before tucking in sixth.
Blue Rare took her rivals through an opening panel in :27.1, but Rare Legacy popped out soon after and quickly took over the proceedings. Blue Jean Gal, riding a five-race win streak, sat fourth after a half in :57.4, but was then given her cue by Renaud, and responded with a confident outside brush in pursuit of the unfettered pacesetter.
Rare Legacy’s lead began to dwindle as a revved up Blue Jean Gal ranged up to her outside ahead of three quarters in 1:27.
Renaud maintained a patient hand down the lane, while a game Rare Legacy refused to throw in the towel. With less than 75 yards to the wire, Blue Jean Gal, under no urging from Renaud, finally wore down her rival and went on to secure a 2 ¼-length score. Rare Legacy was second, a late-charging Twi B Showbiz arrived on the scene late to net third Belle Boubou was fourth.
The final time was 1:55.3.
“I wasn’t quite sure about the nine-hole,” said Renaud. “I know I got away nice all year with her, but I never really had to push her off the gate. So, I didn’t really know. Obviously, I didn’t get away as good as I wanted, but I never really had to ask her. So, she always did everything on her own. So, it was just making sure I don’t get into trouble and give her a clear path.
“She’s made my job so easy the last couple of starts. You can drive her like an old horse. She’s a pleasure to drive.”
It was the latest triumph for the daughter of Trixton out of the Yankee Glide mare Pine Knolls, who is now 7-0-0 from nine lifetime starts, along with nearly $100,000 in purse earnings.
A homebred for Leonard Gamble that is trained by Julie Walker, Blue Jean Gal came into Saturday’s tilt off her fifth consecutive triumph and third straight score in the OSS Grassroots as she won the second $25,000 fifth-leg division for rookie trotting fillies on Sept. 16 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, in 1:57.
Now, the opportunity to wade into OSS Super Final waters could be on the horizon.
“I mean, it’s hard to pass on $300,000 or $400,000 or whatever they go for,” said Renaud. “But yeah, if we get a chance, we’ll give her a try.”
Blue Jean Gal paid $3.60 for her latest victory.
Driver Jean Bernard Renaud and trainer Julie Walker in the winner’s circle.