DUNDAS, ON — Back at the Grassroots level after an unsuccessful run at the Gold Series, Armbro Cachet recorded the fastest win of eight Ontario Sires Stakes divisions at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening.
With Randy Fritz at the helm, Armbro Cachet fired out of Post 2 and controlled the pace through fractions of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.4, then cruised down the stretch to record a four length victory in 1:56.2. Levas Lucille picked up the second-place share of the $15,000 Grassroots purse and She Grins Again finished eight and a half lengths behind the winner in third.
Gregg McNair trainee Armbro Cachet began her sophomore stakes season with a win in the Grassroots season opener at Western Fair Raceway on May 28 before moving up to the Gold Series for the second round of provincial action. A sixth-place finish was not enough to move her into the Gold Final and caused McNair to focus on the Grassroots program for the third event.
Michael Taura of Newfane, NY, James Martin and William Switala of Clarence Center, NY and Joseph Critelli of Lockport, NY share ownership on the Camluck lass, who boosted her earnings to $45,745.
Another Gregg McNair trainee captured the first Grassroots division of the evening. Opting for a come-from-behind strategy, driver Stuart Sowerby sat off the pace with Rustler Hanover daughter Dotted Diamonds and then powered up the outside heading for the half to take control of the race and earn the 1:56.4 victory over Lasensa and Witness To Fame.
Martin, Switala and Critelli also own Dotted Diamonds in partnership with Jerry Velesko of Middleport, NY and the group were delighted to see the filly earn a Grassroots trophy after finishing second in her first two attempts this season.
In Race 6, Fabulous Flori maintained her flawless Grassroots record with a 1:57 victory. David Boughton also opted to sit off the pace with the Rambaran daughter, waiting until the three-quarters to make his move to the front where Fabulous Flori pulled away to a three and one quarter length victory.
Thweet Thavage and She ll B Aknockout, owned by Vaughn and Mark Marshall of Campbellville rounded out the top three in the third division.
Through four starts this season Fabulous Flori now boasts a record of three wins and earnings of $22,500 for trainer Mark Austin and owner-breeder Paul Lindsey of Fergus.
Pauline Seelster and J M Lucky Girl extended their Grassroots win streaks to two with victories at Flamboro on Sunday. Pauline Seelster and Mark MacDonald eked out a nose victory over favourite Boderlinegorgious in the eighth race, which saw third-place finisher St Lads Pathfinder finish just a head back in the 1:57.3 mile.
Jeffrey Gillis trains the Camluck daughter, who boasts a record of three wins, one second and one third in five starts this season, for Bert Smith of Brampton.
One race later J M Lucky Girl and Michael Sumner had it on cruise control, sailing uncontested around the half-mile oval to a three and one-quarter length victory in 1:57.1.
McCarthy Family Farms Ltd. of Granton, James Kelly of Ilderton and Max Bilyea of Granton share ownership on the Camluck filly, who is five for 10 this season with wins in her June 17 Grassroots debut and the City of London Pacing Series Final.
Upsidedownfrown and Stonebridge Celest followed J M Lucky Girl across the wire in Race 9.
The other Grassroots divisions went to K G Delight in 1:58.1, Sparkys Grin in 1:57.2 and Whitesand Trick in 1:57.2.
The sophomore pacing fillies return to Grassroots action August 11 at Hiawatha Horse Park. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Flamboro Downs this Thursday when the gifted two-year-old pacing fillies square off in their first $130,000 Gold Final.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rflmdsu.html