WOODSTOCK, ON — Ontario’s two-year-old trotting colts made their debut at Woodstock Raceway on Saturday afternoon and trainer Ross Henry inched closer to a third Johnston Cup training title with a win and three seconds in three divisions.
The Ross Henry barn kicked off its successful afternoon in the first race when Tom Strauss piloted Kuruption to a 2:11.4 score from Post 6. Strauss and the K M Lazer colt led the field through fractions of :34, 1:07.4 and 1:40.2 en route to the two and three-quarter length victory over Kuruption’s stablemate E B Buck and Ivan Sugg trainee Certified Election.
James Laverty of Sauble Beach and George Grant of Whitby share ownership on Kuruption with the Henry Stable of Arthur. After just one race the $8,000 yearling purchase has already given the partners a profit, earning $14,739 for the win.
In the second division Trevor Henry and Grand Turk settled for the second-place finisher’s share behind Midnites Boy after favourite Odee Nero was placed from first to fourth for causing interference. Midnites Boy, Grand Turk and Lucky Abe were all bumped ahead as a result of the miscue by Odee Nero.
Although his time will not be recorded as the official time, Midnites Boy crossed the wire in 2:08.1 to score the quickest win of the three Grassroots division. Slabtown Farm of Croton bred and owns Midnites Boy and Wayne Langille handles his conditioning requirements.
The final division went to Second Go Round in a hard fought neck decision over Tom Strauss and Henry trainee Earl Vic Dol. Leaving from Post 1 Second Go Round and driver-trainer Murray Brethour were unable to secure a spot on the rail at the front of the pack so the colt was forced to go around the long way, but he still had enough power in the tank to poke a neck in front of Earl Vic Dol at the wire. Another Ivan Sugg trainee, Brantfords Best, rounded out the top three.
Paul Lindsey of Fergus bred and owns Second Go Round, who stopped the Woodstock teletimer at 2:10.1.
The freshman trotting colts make their way to Quinte Raceway on Aug. 5 for their next Grassroots event. Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Woodstock Raceway next Saturday when the two-year-old fillies arrive in town for their first Trillium Series event.