CLINTON, ON — For The Luva Moni earned the lion’s share of the $17,857 purse in the third of five Grassroots divisions at Clinton Raceway on Sunday afternoon when she delivered an impressive 2:02.3 victory, the fastest mile recorded in the two-year-old trotting filly event.
Driver Carman Hie settled the chestnut daughter of Balanced Image in fifth through the :30.3 opening quarter and had moved up the outside into third by the 1:01.2 half. By the 1:32 three-quarters For The Luva Moni and Hie were on top by two lengths and from there the duo simply pulled away from the field, cruising home to a five and three-quarter length score over Zorgwijk Delmonica and favourite Wanabeamillionaire.
Trainer Dr. John Hayes of Beamsville shares ownership on For The Luva Moni with Ned Gvoich of Beamsville and Kim Kaplan of Worcester, MA. The partners have already recouped the modest $10,000 they spent to acquire the filly at the Kentucky Standardbred Yearling Sale last fall. She has captured both of her Grassroots starts for earnings of $16,428 and sits tied for fourth spot in the Grassroots standings with a perfect 100 points.
Memories Of Texas also maintained her perfect Grassroots record with a wire-to-wire score in the second division. The Wesgate Crown daughter and driver Michael Langdon hit the wire in 2:06.1, four lengths up on Zorgwijk Dutchess and 14 ahead of fan favourite Petals Of A Flower.
Alan and Cloah Fair of Ancaster bred and own Memories Of Texas, who seems to have found her niche after moving down from the Gold Series level before the last Grassroots event on Aug. 21.
Designable jumped to the top of the Grassroots point race with a narrow victory over pacesetter and favourite Taffeta Seelster in the final division. The Earl daughter and trainer-driver Wayne Langille stuck close to Taffeta Seelster and driver Wayne Henry through fractions of :31.3, 1:03.3 and 1:35.1 and then stuck a head in front at the wire to score the 204.4 victory. R Heavenly Hush rounded out the top three.
The win gives Designable, who is owned by Langille and Terence Adamson of Harley, James Barton of Branchton and Jeff Adamson of Brantford, a record of two wins, one second and one third in four Grassroots starts for a point tally of 137, 12 points ahead of Zorgwijk Dutchess and Zorgwijk Delmonica.
Trainer Ross Henry did not leave Clinton empty handed, winning the opening division with Odee Angelina. Younger son Trevor Henry piloted the Royal Ballad filly to the 2:06.4 score for owner-breeder Ray Odorico of Limehouse. Norwell Spice Girl and Chelemark Candy earned the second and third-place finisher’s share.
The other division went to Sephora, who came into the Grassroots event off a third-place finish in the Aug. 28 Gold Final. The King Conch daughter and trainer-driver Jason Gilchrist hit the wire five and a half lengths ahead of Shawland Y Two K and Sarahs Crown in 2:05. Dr. Frederick Albert of Prescott owns the winner of $54,531.
The two-year-old trotting fillies make their next Grassroots start on Sept. 27 at Elmira Raceway, while fans can catch Ontario Sires Stakes excitement at Clinton Raceway again next Sunday when the exciting three-year-old pacing colts storm into town.