Three-year-old trotting colts bred and raised by Dr. Mike Wilson’s Warrawee Farm of Rockwood, captured two of the six $18,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions Aug. 11 at Grand River Raceway.
The fastest victory of the night was recorded by Warrawee Promesse who was on top through every fraction, :28.4, :58.4, 1:28.2, and was home with more than three lengths to spare in 1:57.2. Striking Hurricane was second followed by Enthusiast.
Trainer Wayne Henry was in the sulky behind the Windsong Espoir gelding he co-owns with Fred Brayford of Alliston. It was the fourth consecutive victory for Warrawee Promesse who came into the contest fresh from a sweep of the Dream Of Glory series at Hanover Raceway.
Warrawee Promesse’s former stablemate at the farm, Warrawee Preferred, used different tactics to capture his division for trainer Per Henriksen. They watched as Passed Dat Point carved out fractions of :29, :59 and 1:30.1 but were first at the wire reached in 2:01.3 over Tymal Showman and Passed Dat Point.
Henriksen’s Asa Farm of Norwood, Ontario, shares ownership of son of Federal Flex with breeder Mike Wilson of Rockwood and Darryl Drain of Tweed, Ontario. This was the first victory in seven starts this year for Warrawee Preferred whose dam is a half-sister to $1.8 million winner Here Comes Herbie.
Henry’s brother Trevor captured the first division with Aventure in 1:58 over Oliver Slik and Massacaia. Aventure finished second to Warrawee Promesse in the Dream Of Glory final after winning an elimination. He is trained by Bill Bud for owner Orville Rursch of Illinois. This was the fifth win in 14 tries this year for the Muscle Mass colt.
Another Muscle Mass winner came in the second division when Phil Hudon and R Choochoo Charlie connected for a 1:57.3 score to defeat Stonebridge Rich and Redemption Road. Elizabeth and Tom Rankin of St. Catharines, Ontario, own the winner trained by Mark Steacy.
The remaining two divisions were captured by Hetties Commander (The Pres) in 1:58.3 for Bruce Richardson and trainer Michel Rivest who co-owns with Gary Silliphant and Denis Rivest and Me The Boss (Keystone Nordic) and driver Scott Coulter in 1:59.1 for trainer Steve Charlton and owner Larocque Racing Stable of Thornhill, Ontario.
The next Grassroots test for this group goes Aug. 21 at Rideau Carleton Raceway.
