SUDBURY, ON — Ross Henry sent six two-year-old trotting fillies to Sudbury Downs for their first provincial outing and took home one trophy, two runner-up cheques and one third-place finisher’s share.
By the last of three Trillium Series divisions Sudbury fans were wise to the stable’s ability and sent the entry of St Lads Abby and Powerline Crystal off as the overwhelming favourites. The duo responded with a one, two finish with St Lads Abby stopping the clock in 2:10. Lukes Viviane rounded out the top three.
Wayne Henry piloted the Incredible Abe daughter to the win for the Henry Stable of Arthur while his brother Trevor steered Powerline Crystal into second for NGA Powerline of Brantford.
In the second division Trevor Henry beat his brother to the wire, finishing second with Taffeta Seelster while Wayne was a quarter length back with Independent Woman. Sephora earned the lion’s share of the $21,958 purse with her wire-to-wire victory, stopping the clock in 2:06.1.
Jason Gilchrist trains and drives Sephora for owner-breeder Dr. Frederick Albert of Prescott. The King Conch-Terra Cotta daughter is a half-sister to Ontario Sires Stakes regular Equine Grace, who has earned $63,094 in two seasons at the races.
The first division went to Lady Stormont when Mikestory was placed back to second for causing interference in the early stages of the race. Norm Jones trains and drives Lady Stormont for Stormont Meadows of Long Sault and sat the Pine Chip daughter on the front end through most of the mile, crossing the wire in 2:04.3, three and a half lengths behind Mikestory. Fan favourites Jilted and trainer-driver Kevin Blanchard rounded out the top three.
The Ontario-bred fillies will now head to Flamboro Downs on July 6 for their first Gold Series event or to Hiawatha Horse Park on July 4 for the Grassroots season opener. They will meet up with their American-bred cousins again on July 20 at Hanover Raceway for the second of three Trillium Series events on their schedule this summer.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Sudbury Downs on July 5 when the three-year-old pacing fillies bring their high speed Grassroots show to the northern oval.