SUDBURY, ON — Ross Henry gave a demonstration of his Johnston Cup winning techniques at Sudbury Downs on Sunday afternoon, winning two of six two-year-old trotting filly Grassroots events and finishing second in two others.

A four time winner of the Johnston Cup as the leading trainer in the Ontario Sires Stakes program, Henry captured the first Grassroots division in definitive style when CS R Hope crossed the wire nine lengths ahead of her peers in 2:07.4. Trevor Henry piloted the CR Renegade daughter to her second Grassroots win for his partners in the Henry Stable of Arthur, father Ross and brother Wayne.

Sandra’s Pleasure trotted into second-place after overcoming an early break, nudging Berndtoacrisp into third.

The Henry’s struck for the second time in Race 5 when Strikingly Luvable cruised to a two length victory over Bernice Daniece and Cotton Briefs in 2:07.1. A daughter of Striking Sahbra, Strikingly Luvable started her career in the Gold Series where an early break in stride left her out of the action. The filly is owned by the Henry Stable and Alan Bodin of Rockwood.

Trevor Henry tried to run off on the field for a third score with Natashas San in Race 2, but a Hall of Fame drive by Dave Wall thwarted their plans. Refusing to get caught up in hot early fractions of :30.4, 1:03.1 and 1:35.2, Wall mapped out a steady course for Party Hall that saw the pair progressively gain ground on the pacesetters.

As much as 15 lengths off the pace through the early stages, Wall and Party Hall were only half a length behind the leader at the top of the stretch and sprinted home to a half length victory in 2:08. Natashas San and Henry settled for second, while Eatonmeadowmiracle was well back in third.

Chad Milner trains Party Hall, who also started her career in the Gold Series. The Angus Hall daughter is owned by Ivan Sugg of Deshler, OH.

Using Wall’s efforts as a guide, Gordon Rayner and St Lads Calcium also reeled in a front running Henry filly to score a 2:09 victory in Race 4. Owned by trainer Wayne Langille of Harley and Arthur Quintanilha of Millgrove, St Lads Calcium was also a winner in the freshman trotting filly Grassroots season opener. Through three starts the Earl daughter has amassed an impressive record of two wins and one second for earnings of $18,553.

Trevor Henry and Lukes Danielle finished two lengths back in second and a hard closing Oh Oh Oh picked up the third-place share of the $15,000 purse.

Nick Henry proved the horsemanship gene runs in the family when he teamed C H Meadow Miss to an eight length triumph in Race 7. Ross Henry’s grandson, the Mount Forest resident trains and drives C H Meadow Miss for his partner and fellow breeder Ron Corbett of St. Jacobs. The CR Renegade daughter bested Sister Shirl and Vijay Star for her first victory in three starts.

The final Grassroots division went to Dave Boughton and Lukes Justine, who bested Wall at his own game, popping out around the last turn to scoop up a 2:08.4 victory for trainer Frank Szasz and owner Ena Szasz of Bolton. The Yankee Paco daughter hit the wire three-quarters of a length ahead of Wall and favourite Orillia Seelster and three lengths up on Traceys Memory.

The two-year-old trotting fillies are back in Grassroots action Sunday, Aug. 28 at Clinton Raceway, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Sudbury Downs on Saturday. Aug. 20 with the outstanding two-year-old pacing colts in their third Grassroots skirmish.

For complete Grassroots results please go to:

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