DRESDEN, ON — Bernies D Nile captured her second straight Grassroots trophy with a 2:03.1 victory on Dresden Raceway’s Fan Appreciation Day program Monday.
The Bob McIntosh trainee jumped out to an early lead from Post 1, reaching the opening quarter three lengths ahead of the two-year-old trotting filly field in :29.4. Through a :59.3 half and 1:30.4 three-quarters, fan favourites Bernies D Nile and driver Don McElroy continued to roll, extending their lead out to five lengths.
While Rhapsody Vita, owned by Douglas, William and Karen Matlack of Essex, and Reach Your Goal narrowed the gap to less than two lengths through the stretch, Bernies D Nile was still an easy victor for the second time in six days.
La Salle resident McIntosh and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH bred Bernies D Nile and share ownership on the Berndt Hanover daughter with Dave Boyle of Bowmanville. The half-sister to former Ontario Sires Stakes competitor Direct Dial, a winner of $137,370, improved her freshman record to two wins in five starts for earnings of $19,070.
Cheque Lavec also picked up her second straight victory in Race 12, maintaining a perfect record after two starts this season. The Mr Lavec daughter and driver Jody Jamieson sat off the pace as favourite Allraes Super Girl laid down fractions of :32.1, 1:05.2 and 1:36.3, then stepped out around the last turn to take control as the fillies straightened out for home.
Allraes Super Girl battled back down the stretch, but Cheque Lavec prevailed by half a length in 2:07 to earn her second victory for trainer Michael Keeling of Cambridge and Ronald Keeling of Owen Sound.
Odee Tessa finished five and three-quarter lengths behind the leaders in third. The hotly contested eighth race went to long shot Soxy Kosmos, who put together her first flawless effort of the season to scoop up the half length victory in 2:06.4. Eager Lois settled for second, while Windsong Bethany and favourite Oaklea Nattie were well back in their battle for third and fourth.
Christopher Beaver of Delaware, OH trains the Yankee Paco daughter and drove her to the victory for his partners David Lang of Hilliard, OH, Barry Carter of Lancaster, OH and Four Starzzzz Stable LLC of Glenwood, NJ.
The other Grassroots divisions went to Draven in 2:05.4, Taylorlane Bliss in 2:04.3 and Jameson in 2:05.4.
The two-year-old trotting fillies now enjoy a well-deserved break in action before their fifth Grassroots event on Sept. 27 at Grand River Raceway. The talented young trotters wrapped up another exciting Ontario Sires Stakes season at Dresden Raceway, which saw the two-year-old pacing filly track record lowered by Witness To Fame earlier in the season.
The Ontario Sires Stakes program will return to Dresden Raceway next season with a fresh crop of two and three-year-old trotters and pacers eager to display their talents on the provincial stage.