SUDBURY, ON — Two-year-old trotting colt Elaborateobsession made an impressive debut at Sudbury Downs on Saturday evening.
The Elaborate Dream son decimated the competition in his Grassroots division, romping around the half-mile oval to a 20 length victory in 2:03.4. Jim Whelan sent the colt to the front from Post 1 in the fifth race and Elaborateobsession simply drew away from the field with every step. Troy resident Whelan bred, owns and trains the talented youngster, who prepared for his impressive debut with a third-place finish in a June 26 qualifier at Flamboro Downs.
One Tough Night trotted under the wire in sole possession of second-place in the $45,657 contest and J M Wally was 13 more lengths back in third.
The fans’ second choice, Elaborateobsession paid $8.40 to win, $5.10 to place and $2.30 to show. Third choice One Tough Night’s runner-up result netted fans $6.40 and $5.10, while fourth choice J M Wally paid $3.30 on a show wager. The Elaborateobsession and One Tough Night exactor returned $83.60 and adding J M Wally on for a 1 – 5 – 6 triactor earned fans $123.30.
The other Grassroots division was won in similar style by Bill Megens and Justincrediblealex, who cruised around the Sudbury Downs half mile on the front end and hit the wire six lengths ahead of the competition in 2:06. Sizeisnteverything and fan favourite Chipper Rooney battled for the second and third-place spots, 19 lengths up on the remainder of the field.
Also like Elaborateobsession, Justincrediblealex is trained and driven by his owner and breeder Bill Megens of Paris. The Incredible Abe son, a half-brother to $136,009 winner Bartolini, went into the second race with a pair of runner-up finishes in qualifying action under his belt.
The colt returned $6.60, $3.10 and $2.50 for his efforts, while Sizeisnteverything paid $3.90 for a place wager and $2.20 to show and Chipper Rooney’s fans earned $2.10 on a show ticket. The exactor was worth $22.10 and the triactor paid $55.90.
The two-year-old trotting colts head to Flamboro Downs on July 21 for their second Grassroots outing, while Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Sudbury Downs next Saturday, July 10 with Grassroots action for the three-year-old trotting fillies, who set a track record at Clinton Raceway on Canada Day.