ELORA, ON — Driver Brad Forward and trainer Gerard Demers teamed up to capture two Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots events at Grand River Raceway on Friday, July 19.
The horsemen, both from Cambridge, kicked off their winning weekend with Tag Up And Go in the fourth $12,857 division. Forward tucked the three-year-old trotting colt in behind pacesetter Euro Man through the opening stages of the mile and then stepped out at the half to take control and cruise home to an impressive seven and one-quarter length win in 1:58.1.
Euro Man settled for second and Photo Mass was two more lengths back in third for trainer Carl Jamieson of Rockwood and his partner Thomas Kyron of Toronto.
The clocking was a new personal best for Tag Up And Go, who is trained by Demers for Lise Darveau of Cambridge and Andre Hebert of Papineauville, QC. The Angus Hall gelding was also a winner in the July 1 Grassroots event at Clinton Raceway and currently sits second in the division point standings with three events remaining.
Two races later Forward and Demers were back in the winner’s circle with division leader Two Doors Down, who sailed along on the front end to a one length score in 2:00. Doubledown Gass and Wanna Be Like Sim rounded out the top three.
Robert Montgomery of Carp owns In Conchnito gelding Two Doors Down, who is flawless through three Grassroots starts for a point tally of 150.
The other Grassroots divisions were captured by Olly Warrawee (2:00.2); Next To Go (2:00.1); Hadrien Duharas (1:59.4); Super Duke (1:59.2); and Muscle On Broadway (2:00).
The three-year-old trotting colts make their fourth Grassroots start at Georgian Downs on Aug. 13, while Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Grand River Raceway on Monday, July 22 with Gold Series action for the two-year-old trotting colts.
For complete results please go to Grand River Raceway Results