by Sandra Snyder

Campbellville, ON — With the regular season coming to a rapid close, competition for the last few Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots points will be fierce when the 3-year-old pacing fillies gather at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday (Sept. 10).

The top 16 point earners after Monday’s test will advance to the division semifinals, and although Silky Britches has had a consistent season for owners Harness The Dream Stables, Jerome Voldock and Limco Inc., trainer Victor Puddy does not expect to be making the trip to Grand River Raceway for the post season.

“It would have been nice. That’s what we were dreaming for,” admits the horseman. “She’s had some rough trips.”

In five Grassroots appearances Silky Britches posted one second, one third, one fourth, and one fifth-place finish to net 50 points. With the current cut off for the post season sitting at 83 points the daughter of Lis Mara-Saucy Britches would need a win to boost her high enough up the standings, a task that will be difficult from post nine.

“I just hope she gets a good trip,” says Puddy. “If she gets some help she’ll get a chunk of it.”

Regular reinsman Bradley Harris will steer Silky Britches in the regular season finale, facing off against four fillies currently ranked in the top 16, three others needing a win to extend their season and two fillies without any Grassroots points. The pair head into Monday’s test off a fourth-place result at Flamboro Downs on Sept. 2 that saw them lead for the bulk of the mile before being reeled in through the stretch.

“She’s real nice. She doesn’t do anything wrong. She’s just a nice little mare,” says Puddy. “She’s a keeper.”

Harness The Dream Stables, Voldock and Limco Inc. purchased Silky Britches out of the Spring Fling Mixed Sale in June and the filly has earned the partners just shy of $40,000 in 10 starts. Puddy says once the filly’s Ontario Sires Stakes career comes to a close, she will be headed to the conditioned classes at half-mile racetracks like Flamboro Downs, Grand River Raceway and The Raceway at Western Fair District. The half-sister to $511,838 winner Armbro Cayenne recorded her 1:55.3 personal best at Grand River on August 8.

“She gets over a half real good, and she’s tough enough, too,” notes the trainer. “She’s great gaited. She’s small, but she’s blocky, and she’s got a big heart.”

Silky Britches and her peers will open the Grassroots action on Monday in race four, with the other two divisions parading onto the Mohawk Racetrack oval in races six and nine.

The ninth race will give Mohawk fans a preview of the post season as eight of the 10 contenders are currently ranked in the top 16. Number two ranked Sauble Claire starts from post five, and fifth ranked Machleen will line up right beside her at post six. Driving Miss Deo currently sits seventh in the standings and will start from post four, while eighth ranked Pending Approval gets post seven. Eat Me Up and Lyons Luck share the ninth spot with 100 points and will start from posts two and 10, respectively. Jet Speed, currently in 11th, gets post nine and Your Beautiful, tied for 16th with 83 points, gets post one.

Mohawk Racetrack sends its first race into the starter’s hands at 7:10 p.m. on Monday (Sept. 10).

To view Silky Britches’ previous Grassroots starts click here.