Six divisions of OSS Grassroots action for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings highlighted this afternoon's matinee program at Dresden Raceway, and it was a great opportunity for many pacers to bolster their point total in the race to this year's OSS Grassroots semi-finals.
Talbot Champagne swept the field to take the $20,000 opening division in a time of 1:59.2 for the tandem of trainer Jim Ainsworth and driver Dave Wall.
"Mr. OSS" coaxed :28.1 closing speed form the son of Western Terror, who won by a head over Ponder Seelster. St Lads Adonis finished third.
Ainsworth shares ownership on the youngster with Karen Carroll of Shedden, ON. The pacer owns a 2-2-0 record in seven starts.
Medoland Glenno pulled off a 24-1 upset in the next split when he broke his maiden in a time of 1:58.1 for trainer/driver Lormer McClure and owner Colm McNulty of Puslinch, ON.
The gelded son of Western Maverick survived a first-over trip to win by a neck over the odds-on favourite, Rustlers Ambition. Riopelle rounded out the top three.
Lucky Herb picked up his second OSS win of the campaign when he romped away to an impressive score in the third division in a time of 1:58.1 for trainer Bob McIntosh and driver Brad Forward.
Despite a first-over trip, the homebred son of Camluck was able to pull away to win by five lengths over Daylon Artist. St Lads Rave finished third.
The colt has banked $32,600 to date for the partnership of the Robert McIntosh Stables Inc., C S X Stables and Dave Boyle.
Medoland Machoman cruised to his second OSS Grassroots victory of the season when he romped to a three-length score in his $20,000 assignment for the duo of trainer Mike Medors and driver Jody Jamieson.
The son of Million Dollar Cam only needed a :30.1 final frame to defeat Intrepid Aries and E Dees Legacy. The colt bumped his bankroll to $55,700 for partners Tamara Hoovler, Slaughter Racing Stable LLC and Patrick Medors.
In the late stages of that division, Sterling Chris made a break and fell. There were no details on the condition of the pacer, who was driven by Jason Brewer. Brewer was able to drive throughout the remainder of the card.
Fast Pay was a maiden-breaking winner in his $20,000 tilt for partners Steve Heimbecker and Dave Menary, who watched the son of Western Terror recover from a late miscue to win in a time of 1:58.2.
The colt, who was handed by Aaron Byron, stormed home in :27.4 to defeat Pictonian Pride, who was more than three lengths in arrears. Lyons Sign grabbed the show dough.
The pacer has now recovered $21,416 of his $38,000 Forest City Yearling Sale price tag.
Mr Coolie drew off a five-length victory in the final division for the father/son duo of co-owner/trainer/breeder Gregg McNair and driver Doug McNair.
The son of No Pan Intended, who races for McNair and partner Ian Fleming of Londesborough, ON, kicked home in :28.3 for a mile in 1:58.3. A Regular Terror was second best while In A Craze finished third.
The victory improved the colt's record to 2-1-1 in seven tries, and bumped his lifetime earnings to $26,650.
The last OSS Grassroots event of the season prior to the semi-finals will take place at Flamboro Downs on October 8. Canada's fastest half-mile oval will then host the Grassroots semi-finals on October 17 and the Grassroots finals on October 24.
To view Sunday's results, click here.