BELLEVILLE, ON — Tymal Francesca picked up her second Grassroots trophy of the season with an impressive 2:06.3 victory at Quinte Exhibition Raceway on Friday evening.

The Berndt Hanover miss got away third from Post 3, but quickly took command off the race and cruised home to a six length victory in the fastest of seven two-year-old trotting filly divisions at the Belleville oval. Vassar Hall and Penetangore trotted home strongly to earn the second and third-place share of the $15,000 Grassroots purse.

Arthur resident Wayne Henry trains and drives Tymal Francesca for his partners in the Arthur-based Henry Stable, James Laverty of Sauble Beach and breeder Ronald Waples of Guelph. Through four starts the filly has finished no worse than fourth, logging two wins and one third in Grassroots action and a fourth in the July 1 Gold Elimination at Flamboro Downs.

With two Grassroots events remaining, Tymal Francesca’s 112 Grassroots points have her positioned in a two-way tie for second in the race for one of 16 berths in the freshman trotting filly post season.

Trainer-driver Larry Walker also had a successful evening at Quinte on Friday. The Morriston resident piloted both Summer Audit and Heads Up Play to victory in their respective Grassroots divisions.

Summer Audit delivered an outstanding effort from the outside Post 7, flying straight to the front and controlling the pace throughout the 2:07.1 mile. Stormont Nadia and Lady Mae C Fert finished three lengths behind the leader, while the remainder of the field trailed across the finish line seven seconds and 35 lengths later.

Walker trains the regally bred daughter of Angus Hall and Joyous Image for breeders Gresta Limited of Hanover. Through three Grassroots starts the filly has shown steady improvement, finishing fifth at Hanover Raceway on July 19 and second at Kawartha Downs on Aug. 1.

Four races later Walker employed similar front end tactics with Heads Up Play, but had a much easier time getting to the front from the inside Post 1. The Village Barrister daughter loafed through fractions of :32.3, 1:06.4 and 1:40.2 before sprinting home to a 2:10.1 victory over Honeyconch and Marta Maple.

After four Grassroots events Heads Up Play currently sits atop the division standings with a total of 124 points earned through two wins and two third-place finishes. Walker bred and owns the filly with Wayne Murakami of Hamilton and Robert Fasken of Oakville.

Carolyn As scored her second straight Grassroots win with a 2:08 decision in the fourth race that propelled her into a tie for second with Tymal Francesca. The Striking Sahbra daughter made her Grassroots debut at Hanover Raceway, where she finished third after suffering interference and then logged a smart 2:01.3 victory at Kawartha Downs on Aug. 1.

Anette Lorentzon trains Carolyn As for ACL Stuteri Inc. of Paris, KY and Steven Skilton piloted the filly to the one and one-quarter length victory over Windsong Diamond and Belinda Hall.

The other Grassroots divisions went to St Lads Diva in 2:08.1, Georgia Hall in 2:07.4 and Fallon Seelster in 2:11.1.

Friday’s event marked the end of the 2006 Ontario Sires Stakes season at Quinte Exhibition Raceway, which brought outstanding performances from the sophomore pacing fillies and the freshman pacing colts, trotting colts and trotting fillies to Belleville and area fans. The provincial program will return to Quinte next spring for another year of outstanding Grassroots competition.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rblvlfr.html