DRESDEN, ON — Earl Of Openwood delivered an impressive victory in Grassroots action at Dresden Raceway on Monday afternoon, overcoming Post 7 to score the fastest win of all five divisions.
David Boughton gave the two-year-old trotting colt a flawless drive, sitting second throughout the race and then powering down the stretch to the 2:04.3 victory for trainer Frank Szasz and owner Ena Szasz of Bolton, who also bred the Earl son.
Runner-up Last Nut Standing recovered from an early break that saw him more than 10 lengths behind, accelerated to the front before the halfway marker and then held a three-length lead until Boughton shifted Earl Of Openwood into gear. Mathers Lavec delivered a steady performance to finish third.
Dresden fans were also treated to a nail-biter finish in the last division, which saw the top three colts finish within one length of each other. Favourite Shady Suspect led the colts through fractions of :31.1, 1:04.3 and 1:37.1 before coming under heavy pressure from Icarus Seelster and Sporty Hope. The Incredible Abe son and driver Ross Battin dug in down the stretch and eked out the 2:07.3 victory by a short head. Icarus Seelster settled for second and Sporty Hope was just three-quarters of a length back in third.
Peter Clements trains Shady Suspect, who sports a perfect two for two record in Grassroots action, for his children Curtis and Amy Clements of Dobbinton and Chad Clements of Chesley.
TJs Incredible Lad also improved his position in the Grassroots point standings with a 2:06 victory in the twelfth race. The Incredible Abe son, owned by James Laverty of Sauble Beach and Trevor Henry of Arthur, finished third in his Grassroots debut on July 10 at Kawartha Downs, giving him a total of 72 Grassroots points after just two events.
Leave It To Eager and Schemin N Dreamin rounded out the top three in Race 12. Parkside Brad matched TJs Incredible Lad’s 72 points with a 2:06.1 victory in the first Grassroots division. The Eager Seelster son delivered a solid front-end performance to best B Cor Automakeit and Eatonmeadow Clyde and add to his point tally for Keith Hastie of Durham, who bred, owns, trains and drives the trotter.
The other Grassroots division went to Nichols Lavec, who delivered a gritty performance to score the 2:07 victory over Grand Sovereign and Armbro Beyond. Dan Creighton trains the Mr Lavec son, who was making his first lifetime start on Monday, for his partners in the Danterra Racing Stable of Strathroy.
The freshman trotting colts make their third Grassroots start at Quinte Raceway on Aug. 22, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Dresden Raceway on Labour Day, Sept. 1 with the Grassroots wild card for three-year-old trotting fillies.