by OSS News

Innisfil, ON — There were five C$18,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots events for 2-year-old pacing fillies on Saturday night (August 23) at Georgian Downs, and the last split was the quickest as Southwind Luna toured the five-eighths mile oval in 1:54.

With driver Billy Davis Jr. calling the shots, Southwind Luna was in the lead through panels of :27.2, :56.3, and 1:24.3. Faithful Friend (Rick Zeron) took a shot out of the pocket in the final quarter, but Southwind Luna held sway to prevail by a half-length. Wicked Speed (Scott Young) finished third.

Otis Hall trains Southwind Luna, a Sportswriter filly, for owner Nasussito Racing Inc. of Ayr, Ontario. Southwind Farms bred Southwind Luna, who has won twice from five starts and has earned $23,540.

Southwind Luna, the first foal out of Lil Presto Hanover, a The Panderosa half-sister to $2.6 million earner McArdle, sold for $20,000 at last year’s Standardbred Horse Sale.

Drivers Rick Zeron and Trevor Henry split up the other four Grassroots sections, with each of them winning two. Zeron scored with the Mister Big filly Show Some Leg in 1:54.4 for trainer Richard “Nifty” Norman and Shadow Play daughter Chase The Shadows in 1:54.2 for trainer Dave Menary. Henry’s victories came courtesy of Vic Puddy trainee Twin B Honour (1:55) and Richard Moreau pupil Ms Mac N Cheese (1:54.2).

The next Grassroots test for rookie pacing fillies comes on September 2 at Flamboro Downs.