REXDALE, ON — Dietrich recovered from a disappointing fifth in last week’s elimination round to capture her second straight Gold Final at Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening.
The Mr Lavec daughter and driver Chris Christoforou shot out from Post 7 and rocketed into the lead just past the quarter pole. The duo controlled the remainder of the race, ringing up fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.1 on their way to the 1:56.3 victory.
Corinas Mission delivered her best effort of the 2002 season to finish second and elimination winner Symphony Hanover had to settle for the third-place finisher’s share of the $130,000 purse from Post 9.
Trainer Charalambos Christoforou of Freelton, Banjo Farms of Toronto, Makis Chrysomilas of Nicosia, Cyprus and William Jones of Lexington, KY share ownership on Dietrich, who has amassed $310,879 in eight starts this season. The win improved the filly’s record to four wins and two seconds in eight outings.
Surprisingly, neither the reigning Gold champ, nor the elimination winners Symphony Hanover and Early Secret went off as the Woodbine fans’ top choice on Monday night. The local handicappers reserved that honour for Jills Gem, who finished well back in ninth. As a result Dietrich returned $7.30 to win, $5.10 to place and $3.80 to show. Corinas Mission paid her backers $12.20 and $5.20 and Symphony Hanover’s third-place finish was worth $3.00. The Dietrich – Corinas Mission exactor returned $70.30 and adding Symphony Hanover into the mix pushed the triactor to $364.80.
Three races before Dietrich successfully defended her Gold Series crown, last year’s two-year-old trotting filly champion Pepi Lavec captured the $30,000 Gold Series Consolation. Pepi Lavec and driver Paul MacDonell sprinted home to score the 1:57.2 victory by a head over Taylor Seelster and Dats Dixie.
Glengate Farms of Campbellville and Parkhill Stud Farm of Peterborough share ownership of Pepi Lavec, who has struggled with breaks in her last two starts.
The three-year-old trotting fillies make their next Gold Series start at Hiawatha Horse Park on Aug. 10, with the Gold Final scheduled for Aug. 17. Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Woodbine Racetrack on Monday, July 29 with Gold Series Eliminations for this year’s two-year-old trotting filly stars.