LONDON, ON — Village Blitz stepped up to take his first Gold Series victory at Western Fair Raceway on Saturday evening.
The two-year-old pacing colt and trainer-driver Carl Jamieson took full advantage of Post 1, firing to the top and reeling off fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:28.2 on their way to the one and one quarter length triumph in 1:58.4. Au Rumba stalked the pacesetter throughout the mile and stayed game for second while fan favourite Stonebridge Premio attempted a challenge at the three-quarters before fading to third.
Boulder Creek was off stride through much of the race, but managed to pull things together through the final quarter to post a fourth-place finish while Vandango Hanover was relegated to fifth in the five-horse field.
Jamieson trains the Village Jiffy colt for his partners in the Village Blitz Stable of Jarvis. The partners shelled out $35,000 for the pacer at last fall’s Canadian Classic Yearling Sale and have already realized a $231,888 return from 11 starts. In addition to Saturday’s Gold Elimination, Village Blitz captured his elimination and the $250,000 Final of the Battle Of Waterloo at Elmira Raceway on Aug. 5. Saturday’s victory was the best finish the colt has posted in Gold Series action since a pair of runner-up efforts in the Elimination and Final of the season opener at Windsor Raceway on June 26 and July 3.
Fans who selected Village Blitz as their top choice in Race 12 earned a tidy $13.50 to win, $5.10 to place and $3.40 to show. Au Rumba’s second-place effort was worth $4.30 and $2.80 and favourite Stonebridge Premio returned just $2.40 to show. The Village Blitz, Au Rumba exactor was worth $62.90.
All five colts are eligible to return to Western Fair Raceway next Saturday evening (Nov. 9) for their last $130,00 Gold Final. After wrapping up the regular season the top 10 point earners will gather at Mohawk Racetrack on Nov. 16 for their chance at the $300,000 Super Final. Division leader Sir Luck is expected to be back in action for the rich season finale where he could push his earnings over $1.15 million.
Next Saturday’s contest will also wrap up Western Fair Raceway’s 2002 Ontario Sires Stakes season.