from the Ontario Sire Stakes

Innisfil, ON — On Tuesday (July 14) evening fans at Georgian Downs experienced a moment of déjà vu when Bob McClure piloted 3-year-old trotting filly Judy The Beauty to her first win of the season in the last of seven Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions.

“I won my first Grassroots with her almost a year ago today at this track,” recalled McClure, who piloted Judy The Beauty to her first lifetime win in a division of that July 22, 2014 Grassroots event.

The pair went on to capture one more Grassroots trophy last season, with Judy The Beauty earning $28,860 and McClure’s mounts reaching the $1 million mark for the first time in his career. This season McClure has chosen to concentrate on driving every card at Georgian Downs and Grand River Raceway, so Tuesday was the first stakes event he has partnered with Judy The Beauty this year.

Starting from post one, McClure was content to get away mid-pack and watch the pacesetters battle to a :28.2 quarter and :56.3 half. Heading by the 1:27 three-quarters the 24-year-old reinsman tipped Judy The Beauty into the outer lane and the pair steadily reeled in the front-runners, reaching the wire a half-length ahead of favorite Railee Priti and Ill Stay Here in 1:57.2.

“She’s just a very nice filly to drive, even last year when she was a 2-year-old it was just like I was driving a 3- or 4-year-old because she was just so smart,” said McClure. “She really makes life easy because you can leave or race from off.

“Last year towards the end she seemed to have a few growing pains and this year she’s really filled out, she’s got a more powerful stride. I would just say she’s a lot stronger, and she’ll continue to get better because she still is just a touch green.”

McClure crafted the win, a personal best for the Muscle Mass daughter, for trainer Keith Jones and owner Randy Zhok. The victory boosted Judy The Beauty up the division standings, moving her into a tie for third with 100 points.

While McClure would like to maintain his successful partnership with Judy The Beauty, he has been turning down Ontario Sires Stakes mounts this summer in an effort to achieve a different goal.

“I’m leading driver at Grand River and Georgian right now, and I’m trying to hold that, and it’s hard when you have to leave on Saturday nights to go to stake races,” explained the young reinsman. “I’m trying not to get too far away from them. It’s hard to turn down stake drives, but I’m trying to keep most of my business there right now.”

If McClure can maintain his leading driver status through the Georgian Downs and Grand River Raceway meets this season, he hopes that level of success will allow him to pursue a few more Ontario Sires Stakes opportunities in 2016.

In addition to McClure and Judy The Beauty’s repeat performance, six other fillies took home Grassroots trophies from Georgian Downs on Tuesday.

La Bella Rosa captured the first Grassroots division in commanding style, sailing from post six to the finish without seeing a challenger. The Holiday Road filly and driver Mario Baillargeon hit the wire 9-1/2 lengths on top in 1:56.3. Lady Caterina and Magic Dancing finished second and third.

The win was La Bella Rosa’s second straight in Grassroots action and vaulted her to the top of the division standings with 108 points. Reaume Bouvier conditions La Bella Rosa for breeder Bella Fortuna Stables and Patricia McGuirl Bouvier.

Mike Saftic piloted fan favorite Renegade Magic to a 1:57 victory in the second division for trainer Ted MacDonnell and owner-breeder Jeff and Lori Thomson. Kadabra daughter Renegade Magic hit the wire two lengths ahead of Cincinnati Miss and California Rachel.

Sumthintotalkabout went gate-to-wire from post nine in the third division, battling all the way to the wire for a neck victory over favorite Tymal Signature and Ladyone in 1:57. Trevor Henry guided the Muscle Mass filly to her second straight Grassroots victory for trainer Steve Bossence and his partner Stephen Palermo.

The fourth division saw Holiday Road daughter Meadow Seelster drop down from the Gold Series to find her first Ontario Sires Stakes victory, cruising home a seven length winner over Aunt Lottie and Sheguindah. Robert Shepherd engineered the 1:56.1 mile, the quickest of the seven Grassroots divisions, for trainer Bill Budd and owner William Dixon.

Hape also posted her first Grassroots win with a 1:58.2 clocking in the fifth division, besting favorite Summers Jewel and Tyrone Zoey. Jack Moiseyev trains and drives the Pilgrims Taj filly for Joanne Colville and Nancy MacNevin.

Luc Ouellette and Allies Gift controlled the pace from start to finish in the sixth division, cruising home two lengths ahead of Flexceptional and Pinky The Intern in a personal best 1:57.1. Ouellette drives and trains the Holiday Road daughter for Ecuries Richelieu Inc.

The 3-year-old trotting fillies make their fourth Grassroots start at Mohawk Racetrack on Aug. 10.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Georgian Downs this Sunday (July 19) with the second Grassroots event for the 2-year-old pacing fillies.