CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Three-year-old trotting filly Dietrich choose an opportune time to score her first lifetime win on Monday night at Mohawk Racetrack.
The Mr Lavec daughter and driver Chris Christoforou delivered an impressive 1:57.1 performance in the $130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final, upsetting elimination winners Early Secret and Pepi Lavec.
“I didn’t expect her to win but I thought she’d be competitive in the race. I didn’t drive her last week but after watching the replay she was trotting very strong in the stretch,” said Christoforou, who had the choice of driving Natashas Kiss or Dietrich in the Final. “She’s aggressive behind the gate but once she gets going she can scoot along.”
The Milton resident eased Dietrich off the gate into sixth position and then steadily reeled in pacesetter Pepi Lavec, reaching the front as the field straightened out for the drive to the wire. Early Secret followed Dietrich’s lead and came within half a length of the top spot, while Pepi Lavec faded to third.
Trainer Charalambos Christoforou of Freelton owns Dietrich, acquiring her from a sale in Harrisburg, PA for just $18,000 US. Monday’s win vaults the filly’s earnings from $9,874 to $74,874, making her a lucrative investment for the veteran horseman even with the current exchange rate.
Two races before Dietrich raised eyebrows with her victory, nine fillies who did not qualify for the Gold Final raced in a $30,000 Consolation. The Gold Series Consolations will be contested for each Gold Series hosted by Mohawk and Woodbine Racetracks this season and Jills Gem earned a win in the first of the 16 events.
The Balanced Image daughter actually crossed the wire behind Taylor Seelster, but the winner was placed back one position for making a late break in stride. As a result Jills Gem pocketed the lion’s share of the $30,000 purse for owners Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Thomas. Taylor Seelster had to settle for the second-place share, while race favourite Direct Dial finished third.
The three-year-old trotting fillies do not make their next Gold Series start until July 15 at Woodbine Racetrack, but they will compete in a Trillium Series event at London’s Western Fair Raceway on May 31.
Ontario Sires Stakes action does not return to Mohawk Racetrack until Sept. 26, but Woodbine Racetrack will welcome the three-year-old trotting colts on June 3 for their second Gold Series event.