DUNDAS, ON — Dundas resident Michael Whelan scored a Grassroots driving double at Flamboro Downs on Thursday evening, piloting three-year-old pacing fillies Dreamfair Shannie and Greek Beach to victory in the last two $20,000 divisions.
Awarded the advantageous Post 1 in the draw, Whelan put Dreamfair Shannie’s quick early speed to good use, reaching the opening quarter two and a half lengths on top in :28.3. Fan favourite All Accounted For applied heavy pressure through the :59 half and 1:28.1 three-quarters, but Dreamfair Shannie refused to yield and dug in through the stretch to record a half length victory in 1:57.2.
All Accounted For settled for second and Bunny Mach claimed third-place honours, four lengths behind the battling leaders.
John and Mary Lamers of Ingersoll bred and own Dreamfair Shannie, who burst onto the sophomore scene with a 14 and one-half length win in an Aug. 21 overnight event at Hiawatha Horse Park. She picked up a second victory at the Sarnia oval on Sept. 4 in an impressive 1:55.4, and is now a perfect three for three after Thursday’s Grassroots triumph.
A daughter of the Lamers’ former Ontario Sires Stakes star, the $1.1 million winner Dreamfair Vogel, Dreamfair Shannie is the second foal from their mare Just A Wee Orphan, who earned $274,449 in her own racing career. Although Dreamfair Shannie has a long way to go before she catches up with her illustrious parents, Thursday’s win puts her within striking distance of the Grassroots post season if she can deliver another strong finish in the regular season finale at Kawartha Downs on Oct. 7.
Two races later, Whelan also used front end tactics to secure Grassroots veteran Greek Beach her first provincial honour. The pair were a hard driving second at the :27.2 opening quarter, powering on to the front well before the :56.1 half, and continuing to lead the field through the 1:26.2 three-quarters. On top by one and three-quarter lengths at the head of the stretch, Greek Beach accelerated away from her peers to a three and three-quarter length victory in 1:55.1.
An attempt to circle three-wide by Gerries Madison failed, and the fans’ top choice was relegated to second, with Everyones Fantasy hot on her heels in third.
Rockwood resident Rob Fellows trains Greek Beach for his partners Daniel Knechtel of Cambridge, Sean Strongman of Kitchener and Carey Fellows of Peterborough. Through four Grassroots starts the Astreos daughter has logged one win and two seconds for a total of 100 points, putting her in seventh spot with one regular season event remaining.
Brad Forward also scored a driving double at Flamboro Downs on Thursday, landing division point leader Slaley in the winner’s circle off a 1:54 mile for owners Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, QC and Ian Fromowitz of Richmond Hill, and going gate to wire with St Lads Seraph in 1:55 for owner-trainer Sandra Spencer and her partner Kathleen Brogan of Windsor.
The other Grassroots division went to Slomotion and driver Bruce Richardson, who stopped the teletimer at 1:56.2 for trainer Scott Barr and owners Mervin and Darlene Smith of Dorchester.
The fillies will wrap up their regular season at Kawartha Downs on Oct. 7 before the top 16 point earners return to Flamboro Downs for their Oct. 16 Grassroots Semifinals and the Oct. 24 Championship.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Flamboro Downs next Wednesday, Sept. 24 when the three-year-old trotting fillies return to the Dundas oval for their $20,000 Gold Consolation and $120,000 Gold Final.
For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rflmdth.html.