DUNDAS, ON — Emerald Whisper completed a flawless regular season Grassroots campaign with a four and a half length victory at Flamboro Downs on Wednesday evening.
In rein to regular pilot Bruce Richardson, the daughter of Earl and Royal Design cruised along on the front end to the 1:59 victory over Early Renegade, while Paris Oaks and Dynamic Lavec gave the race a dash of excitement with their dead heat finish for third.
Trained by Susanne Kerwood for Emerald Ridge Farm of Rockwood and Devos Stables and Mary Devos of Langton, Emerald Whisper went five-for-five in Grassroots action this summer to finish atop the division standings with 250 points. The filly also posted impressive results in her few battles with the Gold Series fillies, including a Trillium Series win at Hiawatha Horse Park on Aug. 30, a second in an Aug. 12 Gold Elimination at Flamboro, and a fourth in the Canadian Breeders Championship Final at Mohawk Racetrack on July 28.
Wednesday’s victory marked Emerald Whisper’s fourth straight visit to the winner’s circle and her ninth this season.
Featured Image scored her first Grassroots win of the season at Flamboro on Wednesday, going gate-to-wire in 2:00 to best fan favourite Tymal Timeout and To The Rescue. The win gave the Balanced Image daughter a total of 75 points and put her in a four-way tie for the last spot in the Oct. 18 Grassroots Semifinal at Kawartha Downs.
Peterborough resident John Bax trains Featured Image for his partners Paul Kinmond of Peterborough, John Hayes of Sharon and William White of Peterborough.
�Mr. OSS’, driver Dave Wall, guided Trot Your Sox Off to front-end victory in the first $20,945 division, stopping the clock at 2:00. The fan favourite hit the wire two lengths ahead of Lady Mae C Fert and six and a half lengths up on third-place finisher Marta Maple.
With 212 points earned in her six Grassroots starts, Trot Your Sox Off wrapped up the regular season in second spot in the point standings. Dr. Joan Gough trains the Wesgate Crown daughter for owner-breeder Falconbrydge Farms of Mount Brydges.
The other two Grassroots divisions went to Striking Pockets, with Bill O’Donnell aboard, and Hi Edith, driven by Doug Hie. Striking Pockets made her first appearance in the winner’s circle with her nose victory over favourite BJs Fancy and Paradox Image. The Striking Sahbra daughter, trained by Daniel Martin for M T Pockets Stables of Pompano Beach, FL, stopped the teletimer in a personal best 1:59.4.
Hi Edith secured her third Grassroots victory with an off the pace effort that saw her hit the wire two and a half lengths ahead of favourite Jayport Forever and Psyche Unseen. Cobourg resident Roger Hie trains the Earl daughter — who finished fifth in the point race — for his partners Hielite Acres Inc. of Fraserville.
The top 16 point earners will now begin preparations for the Oct. 18 Semifinals at Kawartha Downs. The top four finishers from each $30,000 Semifinal will compete in the $100,000 Grassroots Championship on Oct. 27.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues unchecked at Flamboro Downs, with the three-year-old trotting colts taking the stage tomorrow — Thursday, Oct. 4 at 6 pm — for their last Grassroots event.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rflmdwe.html