CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Rick Zeron piloted Kingdom to a 1:57.3 victory in the first of two Gold Series Eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on Thursday, vindicating his decision to scratch the two-year-old trotting colt out sick from the Sept. 16 Campbellville Consolation.
Rather than stressing the colt’s immune system with a race, Zeron opted to rest Kingdom for the remainder of September. Heading into Thursday’s $47,313 contest the Oakville resident said his colt was back at full strength and Kingdom proved it by coming up the outside around the final turn and digging in down the stretch to score the neck victory.
“I had to come first up and we all know that is a crappy way to race a horse, but it worked out tonight. Now I’m hoping he draws well for the final,” said Zeron after having his picture taken in the Mohawk winner’s enclosure. “He’s been a strong colt since day one. I’m really happy for my partners on this horse.”
Zeron shares ownership on Kingdom with The Camel Club Stable of Hamilton and Gestion Charest Ltee of Montreal, QC. A $30,000 yearling purchase last fall, Kingdom boosted his earnings to $105,260 with the win, his second in seven starts. In Gold Series action the consistent colt has scored two wins, two seconds and one third for a total of 162 points and a solid hold on the runner-up spot in the Super Final point race.
After setting the pace throughout the mile, fan favourite Sea King finished a neck behind Kingdom, but was placed back to third for interfering with division leader Meadowview Sunny in the final stages of the race. Meadowview Sunny moved up to second and hit the 300 mark in the Super Final point standings. Fourth and fifth-place finishers Armbro Approach and Hawaiian Clipper also advanced to the Oct. 3 Gold Final.
The other division featured a decisive win by heavy favourite Well Budgeted, who stopped the clock four lengths ahead of his competition in an idential 1:57.3.
After getting away 10 lengths back in sixth spot, Well Budgeted and driver Jack Rice waited until the field had hit the halfway marker before making their move up the outside, steadily picking off horses until they reached the front in the stretch and pulled away to their third win in five starts.
“He was great training down. He hasn’t made a mistake yet, knock on wood,” said Rice after the convincing win. “Once we got away from gate clean I was very confident he would be the winner.”
Rice handles the Balanced Image son for trainer James Cruise, Jr. and owner Jesmeral Stable of New Rochelle, NY.
As in the first elimination there was a realignment in the order of finish when reigning Gold Final winner Gerry Lavec was placed from second back to fourth for failing to lose ground while on a break. Armbro Acme, owned by Gilles and Hughette Caouette’s Adventure Acres Limited of Campbellville, moved from third into second and JM Vangogh moved up to third from fourth. Heavy Raincoat secured a return ticket to Mohawk Racetrack for the $130,000 Gold Final with his fifth-place effort.
The top five colts from each elimination will return to Mohawk Racetrack on Oct. 3 for their second last $130,000 Gold Series Final. The top ten point earners from the regular season will also be back at the Campbellville oval on Nov. 16 for their $300,000 Super Final.