Condren scores grassroots hat trick
FRASERVILLE, ON — Veteran reinsman Steve Condren piloted three sophomore trotting fillies to Grassroots victory at Kawartha Downs on Saturday, July 20.
After being absent from the Ontario Sires Stakes rankings while he battled cancer in 2011 and 2012, the Milton resident is back on familiar ground this season, currently hovering just below the top ten with six wins, four seconds and six thirds through 31 Ontario Sires Stakes starts.
On Saturday Condren made his first appearance in the Kawartha Downs’ winner’s circle with fan favourite Magic Peach. The Kadabra daughter sailed home 10 lengths ahead of Ms Warkentin and Tymal Tessa, stopping the clock at 1:58 for trainer Matthew Dupuis and owners LLK Stable and Old Aultsville Stable of Mississauga, and Douglas Millard of Woodstock. The win was the filly’s first on the provincial circuit.
One race later Condren was back in front of the Kawartha Downs fans with Dupuis trainee Neytiri, who was making just her second lifetime start. Condren employed a come from behind strategy with the Muscle Mass daughter, circling out three-wide at the three-quarter pole to catch the leaders, and then powering home to a three and one-half length win in 2:00. Favourite Oaklea Veronica settled for second and P C Momma Mia was third. Dupuis conditions Neytiri for Andrew Demetrious of Campbellville.
Wrapping up the Grassroots show in the seventh $12,857 division Condren and Speedy Kim Mindale stalked pacesetter Random Margin before slipping by in the stretch and trotting home to a half-length victory in a personal best 1:57.3. Fan favourite Fathers Amiga finished third for owners Patricia Wall of Omemee and James Patrick Wall of Youngs Point.
Condren piloted Speedy Kim Mindale to the victory for ownertrainer Susanne Kerwood of Rockwood. The win was the Striking Sahbra daughter’s first in Ontario Sires Stakes action.
The other Grassroots divisions were captured by Hetties Honey (1:58.2);Twin B Alibi (2:00); Muscle Magic (1:58.4); and Tymal Viva (1:58.1).
The three-year-old trotting fillies make their third Grassroots start at Sudbury Downs on Aug. 11. Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Kawartha Downs Aug. 24 with the third Grassroots event for the two-year-old pacing colts.