Woodbine Mohawk Park: Freshmen turn in sharp miles in OSS Grassroots Semi-Finals

The curtain went up on the Ontario Sires Stakes postseason Thursday evening, as the top 2-year-old trotters and pacers from the Grassroots program gathered at Woodbine Mohawk Park for eight C$20,000 Semi-Finals.

Two-year-old filly trot

Favorite Lovin Julie made an impressive recovery from an error behind the starting gate to take the first 2-year-old trotting filly Semi-Final. Louis-Philippe Roy guided the Muscle Mass daughter to a neck victory over Da Royal Miracle, who recovered from her own miscue, and Global News in a 1:59 4/5 clocking. Angelonia and Muscle Up The Gold also advanced to the Oct. 9 Grassroots Championship.

"I think I had about six heart attacks. If that doesn't get you going, nothing does," said trainer Tony O'Sullivan. "That's pretty impressive to do that and reset quickly and then keep her head on straight. I think it was a fluke; she really is a beautiful filly that trots flawlessly and drives flawlessly.

"I know she made a break at Flamboro (Sept. 13) and Grand River (July 28), but that's because she can't get around the turns properly. Tonight, it's not like her to do that. She was a little keyed up warming up, and I think when the gate picked up speed she just kind of got off on the wrong foot."

O'Sullivan trains Lovin Julie for Andy Miller Stable Inc., Caroll Huffman, and Lou Willinger.

Race favorites Portofino and Paul MacDonell delivered in the second trotting filly Semi-Final, cruising along on the front-end to a 2 1/2 length victory in a personal-best 1:56 2/5. Division point leader Moneyworth finished second and Clockwork Orange, Classic Magic, and Allisonann Hanover also secured a spot in next Saturday's championship.

"That's a big mile for her tonight. Any time you drop three seconds in a race from your previous, whether it be at Flamboro or not, it's quite an accomplishment in your fourth lifetime start," said Ken Sucee, who trains the Wheeling N Dealin daughter for 2790884 Ontario Inc. "So we're looking forward to a week Saturday. We're having a lot of fun, whatever she does is a bonus."

Two-year-old colt and gelding trot

Armstead Cole left smartly from post six and led the first field of two-year-old trotting colt and gelding semi-finalists to a 28 3/5 quarter before yielding to Lexus Ranger. Content to follow the favorite through a 59 second half and 1:30 three-quarters, driver Randy Waples waited until the stretch to tip out from behind Lexus Ranger and send Armstead Cole after the win. The Johnny William gelding hit the wire in a personal-best 1:57 4/5, one-half length ahead of a charging HP Maestro and Lexus Ranger. Sea Can and CM Savewill GL also advanced to the C$60,000 Grassroots Championship.

"Randy (Waples) helps us with track work in the morning, so it only seemed fitting for Randy to accompany 'Cole' to the races," said trainer Chantal Mitchell, noting that she and her team spent months getting the quirky gelding used to being on the racetrack with other horses after he spent the winter training solo at co-owner James "Donnie" Armitage's farm. "He's really done a great job keeping him calm and bringing him to this point."

Mitchell trains Armstead Cole for James "Donnie" Armitage and his father, Dr. Roland Armitage, Grant Watson, and Sheryl McDiarmid.

In the second trotting colt and gelding Semi-Final, favorite Archery Seelster, with Louis-Philippe Roy driving, romped to a 5 1/4 length victory in a personal-best 1:56 1/5. Royal Champane closed hard for second, and Stonebridge Zeus, Marvin Hagler, and Renegade Gypsy rounded out the Championship field.

"He raced some good. That's what I thought he could do, too, but he hadn't done it," said trainer Marcel Barrieau of the division point leader. "It's a good sign."

Barrieau trains and co-owns the Wheeling N Dealin son with Gestion Mastel Inc.

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Two-year-old filly pace

Winx led the charge up the outer lane and held off the favorites in the stretch to capture the first 2-year-old pacing filly Semi-Final in a personal-best 1:52 4/5. Division point leader Dewitt For Josie squeaked through for second, and favorite Delight Bayama was third. Less than a length separated the top trio. Speaker Nancy and pace-setter Better Catch Girl also earned a berth in the Grassroots Championship.

"We really liked her in the spring, but she had a few minor health issues in the summer. We've worked on them, and she continues to get stronger," said trainer Michiel Vanderkemp of the Sportswriter daughter. "She's slick-gaited and seems to be able to race from anywhere."

Trevor Henry engineered the win for Vanderkemp and owner Dianna Secord.

Race favorite In The Mood, with James MacDonald in the race bike, got a neck in front in the final strides of the second pacing filly Semi-Final, besting Ribbon Ridge and Day To Party with a personal-best 1:53 4/5. Girl Scout Cookie and Creme Delight rounded out the qualifiers for next Saturday's Grassroots Championship.

"She's a real intelligent filly that is able to do great things because of her versatility," said trainer Shawn Steacy. "She is so smart out there; it allows James (MacDonald) to use her when needed."

Steacy trains the Sunshine Beach filly for his mother, Katherine Steacy, and breeder Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc.

Two-year-old pacing colts and geldings

Dynomites Peak and driver Bob McClure extended their Grassroots win streak to four in the first 2-year-old pacing colt and gelding Semi-Final, circling pace-setter Twin B Jammer in the stretch to record the 1:52 4/5 victory. Twin B Jammer stayed game for second, 1 3/4 lengths behind the favorite, and Century Iglesias rounded out the top three. Sports Advisor and Nassau Hanover also secured a spot in the Grassroots Championship.

"That was the most beautiful drive. He left a little bit on his own accord tonight, he got away fourth, and then he (McClure) just kind of took his time because he knew he was going to have to come first-up. We got a little bit lucky that horse (Juju Hanover) ran, and he just ducked him in and he waited until the last eighth. Hopefully he saved as much as you could for the Final," said trainer Robbie Robinson. "We've got one more week left and hopefully we have good luck again."

Robinson trains the Artspeak son for his wife Jacqueline Dinelle and her co-owners Paul Smyth and Earl Casselman.

Doug McNair and Sports Fan wiggled up the rail in the last Semi-Final of the night, snatching a 1:53 1/5 victory away from favorite Macho Phil. Icey Shadow, Fox Valley Carlin, and Cold Creek Queso also advanced to the Oct. 9 two-year-old pacing colt and gelding Championship.

"He's been a nice little horse that has really picked it up the last part of the season," said trainer Blake MacIntosh, who reached his 1,000th career victory with Sports Fan's win. "It's pretty special to get win number 1,000 on him, because he's a homebred and we raced his mom."

MacIntosh's wife Leanne Murphy bred and co-owns the son of Sportswriter and My Ideal with Stuart McIntosh.

The top five finishers from all eight Semi-Finals will return to Woodbine Mohawk Park on Saturday, Oct. 9 for their respective C$60,000 Grassroots Championship.

--press release (Ontario Sires Stakes)--