ELORA, ON — Arthur resident Trevor Henry guided TJs Mr Lavec to a 1:59 victory in the last of eight $15,000 Grassroots divisions at Grand River Raceway on Friday evening.

Firing out of Post 3 the pair led the field of three-year-old trotting colts through fractions of :30, 1:00.2 and 1:29.4 before sailing off down the stretch to a five length victory. Summerhill Duke and Free To Dance trailed in for second and third-place honours.

Henry bred and owns TJs Mr Lavec in partnership with James Laverty of Sauble Beach, and Wayne Henry handles training duties on the son of Mr Lavec. Through 12 starts this season the gelding has recorded three wins, two seconds and one third for earnings of $60,024. Friday’s outing marked the trotter’s second appearance in the Grassroots program, after starting his season in the Gold Series.

Stonebridge Spirit also clocked a 1:59 mile at the Elora oval, hitting the wire four and one-quarter lengths ahead of Packin and My Rebelious Ways. Don McElroy guided the Angus Hall son to his second Grassroots victory for trainer Bob McIntosh of LaSalle and breeder Angie Stiller of Arva. The win bumped the colt into the top 16 in the race for a post season berth, with only two regular season Grassroots events remaining.

Catch My Korvette took over top spot in the division standings with a gate to wire victory in the second Grassroots division. Trainer Paul Walker guided the Korvette Hanover son to the 2:01 victory for owner-breeder James MacLeod of Seaforth. Tyrone Showdown and Lemon Drop rounded out the top three.

The biggest leap up the point standings was accomplished by Think Gold, who made a bold three-wide move at the three-quarter pole and sprinted down the stretch to a 2:02.1 victory over pacesetter Brodeur De Vie and Punkysyouruncle. The chestnut son of Mr Lavec was making his first start for trainer Joe Stutzman, who purchased the colt out of the Aug. 25 Summer Sizzler Sale for $32,000 on behalf of Stutzman Stables and Harness The Power Canada of Campbellville.

Randy Fritz piloted Think Gold to his third win of the season, and his first in Grassroots action. The winner of $211,540 started his sophomore season in the Gold Series, but former trainer Carl Jamieson dropped him down to the Grassroots level for the Aug. 11 contest at Hiawatha Horse Park, where Think Gold finished second. Added to that runner-up placing, Friday’s win propelled the gelding from thirty-first to sixteenth in the points race.

The other Grassroots divisions went to Ja El Blue Bayou in 2:00.3; Keystone Saint in 2:00.2; Konchie in 2:02; and Theshowisfree in 2:00. The three-year-old trotting colts make their second last regular season Grassroots start on Sept. 12 at Sudbury Downs.

The Ontario Sires Stakes program makes its second last stop at Grand River Raceway on Monday, Sept. 17 when the exciting two-year-old pacing colts return to the Elora oval for their fourth Grassroots contest.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgrvrfr.html