SARNIA, ON — Ross Henry steamrolled through the two-year-old trotting filly Grassroots event at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday night. The Arthur resident sent four fillies to Sarnia and took home two Ontario Sires Stakes trophies and two runner-up cheques.
Zorgwijk Dutchess kicked off the Henry Stable’s talent show in the third race with an impressive six and three-quarter length victory. The Valleymeister daughter and driver Wayne Henry fired straight to the front from Post 4 and never saw a challenge through the 2:03.4 mile.
James Laverty of Sauble Beach and the Henry Stable own Zorgwijk Dutchess, who earned double her $7,000 purchase price with the win. Shawland Y Two K and Norwell Jalapeno rounded out the top three.
In second division it was Trevor Henry and Powerline Crystal who led the field through fractions of :30.2, 1:04.2 and 1:36.3 en route to a 2:06.1 victory. Wayne Henry and Go Time were four and a half lengths back in second and Sarahs Crown was another four lengths to the rear in third.
NGA Powerline of Brantford bred and own Wesgate Crown daughter Powerline Crystal, who also finished second in a Trillium Series division at Sudbury Downs on June 29.
Carl Jamieson and Lukes Viviane prevented a Henry sweep by posting a come-from-behind 2:03.4 win in the final division. Well back through most of the mile, the King Conch daughter poured on the power through the stretch to score the three-quarter length victory over Wayne Henry and Odee Angelina and Designable.
Jarvis resident Jamieson shares ownership on Lukes Viviane with Gerald Ross of Downsview and William Knights of Blenheim. The partners offered up $32,000 for the filly at last year’s Canadian Classic Yearling Sale.
The freshman trotting fillies make their next Grassroots start at Dresden Raceway on Civic Holiday Monday, Aug. 5. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday, July 13 when the sophomore trotting fillies arrive in town for their second Grassroots event.