Ahi Sunshine Swiftest In Grassroots Opener!

The Sunshine Beach colt Ahi Sunshine blew away his rivals in the opening race of the Tuesday, June 6 card at Woodbine Mohawk Park in the opening division of the opening leg for the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series for pacing sophomore males.
Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Ahi Sunshine swooped to the lead past a :27.1 first quarter to pocket Watchmaker and shuffle early leader Clown Car to third. He carried his speed up the backside to clock a :55.1 half and left his foes chasing from that point. Ahi Sunshine opened six lengths on his rivals to three-quarters in 1:23.2, widened to a 9-1/2-length lead in the stretch and coasted home a 6-3/4-length winner with Troubles A Brewin gaining ground to take second in the 1:51.1 mile. Gandolf The Black was third and Watchmaker settled for fourth.
David Drew manages Ahi Sunshine for owners Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc., Allen Sellen and Bridle Path Stables Ltd. The colt won his sixth race from 13 starts and has now earned $96,979. Bob McClure drove the $7.30 winner.
Nightime Dancer uncorked a 1:51.2 mile to take the second Grassroots division. The Rod Boyd-trained colt by Sunshine Beach sat fourth through a :26.4 quarter set by 8-5 favourite Ikes Dream before springing into action. Driver Jody Jamieson brushed Nightime Dancer to the fore following a :54.4 half and kept the colt plugging through three-quarters in 1:22.4 to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Artsalive, who rallied from a pylon trip for second. Sauble Ace hustled from the back for third.
