WOODSTOCK, ON — Following in the footsteps of his sophomore stablemate Reception Hall, two-year-old trotting colt Starsel powered to a track record in Grassroots action at Woodstock Raceway Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Arthur resident Ross Henry, Starsel and Wayne Henry blasted to the front from Post 6 in the first of seven Grassroots divisions and laid down fractions of :32, 1:03 and 1:34.1 on their way to the record setting 2:04 mile. After making breaks at the start of the mile Duke Of Connaught and fan favourite Pacific Rambler, owned by James Copeland of Woodstock, trainer Ron O’Neill of Cambridge and Wellwood Stables Inc. of Cambridge, finished second and third in the $15,000 contest.

Owned by the Henry Stable of Arthur and Rockwood resident Alan Bodin, Starsel made his Ontario Sires Stakes debut at the Gold Series level on July 5 where he finished fourth. Another fourth-place finish in the July 12 consolation at Georgian Downs convinced Ross Henry, a four-time winner of the Ontario Sires Stakes program’s leading trainer award, to move the colt down to the Grassroots program.

A $7,500 purchase at the 2004 Canadian Classic Yearling Sale, Starsel has repaid his purchase price with $3,747 in interest through his first three starts.

Six races later trainer Peter Clements and driver Ross Battin teamed up for back-to-back Grassroots wins with Potential Renegade and The Orient Express.

Leaving from Post 3 in the seventh race Battin sent Potential Renegade straight to the front where the CR Renegade son led the field through fractions of :31.3, 1:02.4 and 1:34.4 before coasting under the wire a two and a half length winner in 2:04.4. I’m Classy, owned by Lorena Chapple of Harley, claimed the runner-up cheque while Aforgottendynasty was another length back in third.

The win was Potential Renegade’s second in Grassroots action and third of the season. With a flawless record and 100 points the colt, bred and owned by Dobbinton resident Clements and his daughter Amy, currently shares top spot in the freshman trotting colt Grassroots point race with Mozart, who was a 2:06.1 winner in Race 5 for trainer Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, David Reid of Glenburnie, David McDonald of Cornwall and Malcolm Man Son Hing of Nepean.

Starting from Post 6 with The Orient Express, Battin opted for a come-from-behind strategy, sitting on the outside for much of the mile before challenging pacesetter Random Attack through the final turn. The pressure was too much for Random Attack, who made a break and handed the win to The Orient Express, who trotted strongly under the wire in 2:04.2.

Random Attack crossed the finish line a half length behind The Orient Express, but was placed back to fourth for failing to lose ground while on the break. Lets Get Er Done and Sno N Again were elevated to second and third by the judges decision.

Clements trains The Orient Express for Elwood Irwin of Guelph, who also bred the Royal Ballad son. The gelding made his racing debut in the Grassroots season opener at Hiawatha Horse Park on July 14, but made a break at the start and had to settle for fifth.

The other Grassroots divisions went to Corporate Strike in 2:04.4, Armbro Delta in 2:05.4 and Laurent in 2:06.2.

While the two-year-old trotting colts return to Grassroots action on Aug. 1 at Dresden Raceway, Ontario Sires Stakes action does not return to Woodstock Raceway until Saturday, Sept. 3 when the exciting two-year-old pacing colts bring their Grassroots show to the half-mile oval.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rwodsksa.html.)