Miss Grindstone wins Bessarabian

Miss Grindstone wins Bessarabian

William G. Robbins' MISS GRINDSTONE (Grindstone) took the lead

soon after the start of Sunday's C$164,250 Bessarabian H.

(Can-G3) at Woodbine and easily drew away under a hand ride from

Raymond Sabourin to post a three-length win. Trained by Frank A.

Passero Jr., the five-year-old mare completed the seven-furlong

sloppy track event in 1:23 1/5.

"I told Ray to be close to the pace, but I really didn't

want him to be in front, so that we could kick it down the

lane," said Passero, who saddled his first Bessarabian

winner. "I thought he was too close, but he came on with it.

This mare is really good right now."

Miss Grindstone recorded her fourth win in as many starts over

an off track, dueling with El Prado Essence (El Prado [Ire])

through splits of :22 2/5, :45 and 1:09 3/5 before putting that

rival away with ease. Sent off at 4-1, the dark bay mare was

worth $10.10, $3.20 and $2.70 and started the $22.70 exactor and

$94.70 trifector.

"She broke great, she was comfortable where she was and

she kicked on when she needed to," Sabourin said.

"Frank said she'd be in tip-top shape and when she turned

the corner, she went with it."

El Prado Essence held second by 1 3/4 lengths over Surprised

Humor (Distorted Humor) and returned $2.40 and $2.10 as the 4-5

favorite. Show gave back $3.50. Next under the wire were Sweet

Problem (Is It True), Spanish Decree (War Deputy) and Colonial

Surprise (Colonial Affair).

Miss Grindstone improved her lifetime mark to 26-14-3-4 while

earning her first stakes score. Previously, she finished third in

the H.A. Hindmarsh S. Bred in Kentucky, she is out of Dancing in

Seattle (Seattle Song).