Innisfil, ON --- Georgian Downs rolled out the red carpet on Saturday night (July 26) for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series with five C$18,000 dashes going behind the gate.
When the dust had cleared, it was Shadios who shined brightest, turning in a career-best 1:50.3 clocking in the fourth Grassroots flight.
With Billy Davis Jr. in the bike, Shadios sat in second while Warrawee Phoenix (Scott Coulter) rattled off fast fractions of :26.4, :53.4, and 1:22.2.
Davis already had his charge out of the pocket at three-quarters, and he would take control entering the far turn. From there Shadios set sail for the wire, which he reached five lengths to the good over runner-up Regal Babe (Mike Saftic). Twin B Spy (Robert Shepherd) finished in third.
Tony Alagna trains Shadios, a Shadow Playgelding, for Great Britain-based owner Tom Hill. Shadios has won three times from six starts this year, and he has four career victories. He has earned C$26,860 in 2014 and C$41,150 in his life.
Davis also won the Grassroots opener with Some Major Beach, the Major In Art half-brother to the great Somebeachsomewhere. Making his first start for trainer Dave Menary, Some Major Beach worked out a second-over trip and then converted it into a 1:52.4 victory. He defeated Major Homer (Travis Henry) by 2-3/4 lengths with Allstar Seelster (Mike Saftic) back in third.
Muscara Racing Trust, Robert Watson and Martinez Equine own Some Major Beach. This was his second career win from 17 tries, and he has banked C$154,226.
The other three divisions were all won by driver Scott Coulter. He guided Andreios Kardia to a 1:53.1 decision in the second split, Regal Son to a 1:54.1 tally in the third division, and Lucky King to a 1:53.1 triumph in the Grassroots nightcap.
Andreios Kardia, a gelding by Badlands Hanover, is trained by Jeff Madill for owner/breeder Ina Madill. Unraced as a freshman, Andreios Kardia is four-for-16 this year with C$55,350 in the bank.
Regal Son, a Stonebridge Regal colt, is trained by Bob McIntosh, who also bred Regal Son with long-time partner CSX Stables. Gordon Wright is also part of the ownership contingent. Regal Son is a four-time winner in his racing career and has earned more than C$55,550.
Andrew McCabe sent out Camluck colt Lucky King for owner Glenview Livestock Ltd. This was the first Ontario Sires Stakes win this year for Lucky King, who won last year’s Grassroots championship for 2-year-old pacing colts and geldings. He has six career victories, and he has stashed away C$91,053 for his connections.
The next event for the 3-year-old colt and gelding pacers of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series is slated for Aug. 3 at Hanover Raceway. For full results and charts of Saturday night’s action, click here.