SUDBURY, ON — Reigning division champion Designable captured her second Grassroots victory of the 2003 season at Sudbury Downs on Saturday evening.
The three-year-old trotting filly and trainer-driver Wayne Langille left smartly from Post 2 and led the field through fractions of :30.2, 1:01.2 and 1:31.2 en route to the 2:02 victory, the fastest of the five Grassroots divisions. Former Gold Series competitor Mikestory overcame an early break to finish second and Taffeta Seelster picked up the third-place finisher’s share of the $19,882 purse.
Harley resident Langille shares ownership on Designable with James Barton of Branchton, Jeff Adamson of Brantford and Terence Adamson of Harley. The Earl daughter captured the Grassroots championship at two and is on her way to another outstanding season with three victories and one second in six starts.
Drivers Michael Langdon and Bill Gale each captured a pair of the other four Grassroots division, with Langdon scoring first with a 2:04 victory aboard Chips Chip. The pair led throughout the mile and dug in down the stretch to hold off favourite St Lads Abby by a quarter length. Rapid Duchess overcame an early break to finish third.
Trainer Duane Marfisi of Guelph and Enzo Marfisi of Hagersville own Wesgate Crown daughter Chips Chip, who was making her 2003 Grassroots debut.
Langdon was back in the winner’s circle three races later, again using front end tactics to best a favourite. Leaving from Post 1 Langdon and Memories Of Texas fired to the front and never needed to glance back as they cruised to a four length victory over So I Lied and Raw Gem, stopping the Sudbury teletimer at 2:05.
Another daughter of Wesgate Crown, Memories Of Texas is owned by trainer Alan Fair and Cloah Fair of Ancaster and was a competitor in the season opening Gold Series at Mohawk Racetrack where she finished second in her elimination, then made a break in the Final.
In between Langdon’s wins, Bill Gale made two victory passes in front of the grandstand with Dream Alone and Shaboomie. Front end speed was clearly holding up over the Sudbury oval Saturday night as both fillies dominated their divisions.
Fan favourite Dream Alone hit the wire in 2:03.1, three lengths ahead of Sephora and Shesmokesem. It was the Mr Lavec filly’s fourth win in six starts this season and bumped her earnings to $39,048 for trainer Mark Steacy and owners David Reid of Kingston, Stan Klemencic of Trenton, Peter Heffering of Port Perry and George Judson of Athens.
Shaboomie scored her first win of the season in the eleventh race, trotting to a steady 2:04.4 score over Shawland Y Two K and Zorgwijk Delmonica. After making her debut in the May Gold Series the New Victory filly has struggled to find the rhythm that earned her $32,808 last season. Jim Haddon trains the filly for Phyllis McNinch of Puslinch and Wendy Perkes and Barry McNinch of Rockwood.
The three-year-old trotting fillies resume their Grassroots rivalry on Aug. 9 at Hanover Raceway, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement return to Sudbury Downs on Saturday, Aug. 30 in the shape of the three-year-old pacing filly Grassroots wild card.