After chasing for third-place finishes in her two most recent Ontario Sires Stakes (OSS) Grassroots events, No Better Air established close early position and lifted late to seal a lifetime-best 1:53 victory in Saturday’s (Sept. 27) $75,000 Grassroots Final for 2-year-old pacing fillies at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Driver Trevor Henry put No Better Air in play at race’s outset, and the pair pushed clear of Malicia Speed (Jody Jamieson) and P N G Shadow (Tyler Borth) to win a :27.1 battle to the opening quarter. Upon reaching the backstretch, 3-5 favourite Romantic Beauty (James MacDonald) angled off the pegs from fifth to take aim at the front flight but stumbled as soon as she began her move. Simultaneously, P N G Shadow brushed to the fore out of third and seized control heading to the half in :56.4 before giving way to Lavender Seelster (Paul MacKenzie), who sustained uncovered gains from sixth on approach to the far turn, with three-eighths to go.
Through the turn, Lavender Seelster edged two lengths clear of P N G Shadow while Romantic Beauty ground back to within striking range, and Henry pointed No Better Air — who was shuffled back to fourth — off the pegs to take aim at the front flight past three-quarters in 1:24.2.
“It wasn’t really the (trip) I was hoping would come, but it worked out,” said Henry. “She doesn’t seem to be able to carry it all the way this year; she’s better off cover.”
Off the corner for home, Lavender Seelster drifted to the two-path, opening up the inside lane for P N G Shadow to challenge in mid-stretch. But No Better Air posed the biggest threat down the centre of the racetrack, and she responded to Henry’s encouragement to strike the lead in the final yards and edge clear by 1 ¼ lengths at the winning post. Lavender Seelster narrowly held onto second over P N G Shadow; Romantic Beauty was fourth, another 3 ¾ lengths in arrears.
Trainer Scott McEneny co-owns No Better Air, who won for the third time in nine starts and increased her career earnings to $89,524, with Andrea Lea Racing Stables and Aristi Varsakis. Glencairn Racing Stable bred the Cattlewash—Claireabell filly.
“She’s always been a nice filly,” said Henry. “Scott really liked her when she was in Florida, and she doesn’t do anything wrong and she’s just handy to drive. She can leave fast and stop on a dime.”
As the second choice in the wagering, No Better Air returned $6.30 to win.