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Campbellville, ON --- Headlining Mohawk Racetrack’s Monday night (Aug. 11) program were six $16,380 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series events for 2-year-old pacing fillies, and while she wasn’t the swiftest winner, Wicked Speed’s win in the fifth flight pushed her record to a perfect three-for-three with two of those victories coming in Grassroots action.


With Scott Young handling the driving assignment for his father, trainer Bob Young, Wicked Speed came first-over in the final half and wore down leader Marachere (Jody Jamieson) late in the mile to win by a half-length in 1:57.4. Fiftyshadesofbay (Rick Zeron) finished third in the race, which was conducted over a track rated 'good' and a second off due to rainy conditions.


Bob Young also co-owns the victorious daughter of Mach Three with partner Status Stables Inc. Wicked Speed, who also won in Grassroots action at Clinton Raceway on July 20 and has now earned $18,420, was bred by GBW Breeding Farms Inc. and was purchased for $10,000 at last year’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Wicked Speed’s dam is the Western Hanover mare Pannie Oakley ($106,925).


Sassafras Girl (Phil Hudon) also picked up her second win in Grassroots competition after grabbing a 1:57 triumph in the nightcap. She was in front through fractions of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:28 before she splashed home in :29 to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Little Miss Artist (Mike Saftic). OK Hallelujah (Sylvain Filion) claimed third.


Murray Brethour trains Sassafras Girl, a Badlands Hanover filly, for owner Hutt Racing Stable. Sassafras Girl, who is now three-for-six overall and has banked $19,813, was bred by Winbak Farm. She’s out of the Die Laughing mare Tug River Della ($219,395) and a half-sister to the likes of Rub N Tug ($428,272).


Before the rain visited Mohawk, Ride Away Shark (Jody Jamieson) was an impressive 1:53 winner in the third Grassroots contest. She moved from fifth to first on the way to the :57 half and didn’t look back on her way to a three length decision over Solar Sister (Doug McNair). Ms Mac N Cheese (Sylvain Filion) collected third.


Ride Away Shark, another Winbak Farm-bred filly, has a pair of victories from five attempts and has put away $16,830 for trainer Scott McNiven and owners Kim McNiven and Thomas Brodhurst. Those connections took Ride Away Shark, a daughter of Classic Card Shark, out of last year’s Forest City Yearling Sale for C$7,000. She’s the first foal out of the Dream Away mare Freedom Away.


Double Creme was an OSS winner as a 2-year-old filly, and her daughter is now too as OK Heavenly (Doug McNair) won the Grassroots opener by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:55. Chase The Shadows (Jody Jamieson) was next in that dash, followed by Maralika (Chris Christoforou).


Mark Steacy trains OK Heavenly, a daughter of Sportswriter, for co-owner/breeder Oak Knoll Stables, Conrad Leber, Richard Karper and Wheelhouse Racing Stable. It was OK Heavenly’s first win from four trips behind the gate, and she has now banked $11,538. Her dam, who earned $329,637 in her career, has already produced multi-time OSS winner OK Boromir (No Pan Intended, $533,073) and OK Commander ($604,839).


Also winning in OSS competition on Monday night were:

  • Lady Jen (Royal Mattjesty-Ladyjack), who tallied in 1:55.4 for driver Sylvain Filion, trainer Scott McEneny, and owner Hutt Racing Stable. She was also the third winner for breeder Winbak Farm.
  • Southwind Luna (Sportswriter-Lil Presto Hanover), who clicked in 1:55.3 for driver Billy Davis Jr., trainer Otis Hall, and owner Nasussito Racing Inc. Bred by Southwind Farm, Southwind Luna is the first foal out of her dam, who is a half-sister to the likes of $2.45 million earner McArdle.


The next Grassroots event for rookie pacing fillies is on Aug. 23 at Georgian Downs.


For full results and charts of Monday night’s events, click here.


Warrawee colts double up in Grand River Grassroots


A pair of 3-year-old trotting colts bred and raised by Dr. Mike Wilson’s Warrawee Farm captured two of the six $16,380 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions 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 and 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-Warrawee Indy gelding he co-owns with Fred Brayford. 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 Race