DUNDAS, ON — Three-year-old trotting colt JM Vangogh captured his second consecutive Gold Final title with a classic come-from-behind effort at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening.
The Earl son and Hall of Fame horseman Ron Waples moved off the starting gate from Post 5 and sat contentedly on the outside in sixth through most of the mile. Jayport Express carved out early fractions of :28.2 and :58.3 before yielding to favourite Meadowview Sunny, who led the field of eight by the 1:28.2 three-quarters.
As the colts turned for home Meadowview Sunny had a one length lead and JM Vangogh was sitting fourth, almost three lengths to the rear. However, when Waples shifted JM Vangogh into gear the colt responded with a smart burst of speed that propelled him by the leaders to the 1:59.1 victory. Meadowview Sunny settled for second, two lengths back, and Hawaiian Clipper came on at the end to finish third by three and three-quarter lengths.
Waples trains the winner of $299,693 for Paul Chambers of Harrington, DE and John Mello of Georgetown, MA. JM Vangogh has captured five of his last seven starts, including the July 6 Gold Final at Windsor Raceway.
While JM Vangogh collected his second Gold Final trophy, four races later two-year-old pacing colt Sauble Jackson made his first appearance in the winner’s circle after a Gold Final.
The Northern Luck son and driver Stephen Byron delivered a flawless front end performance, beating favourite Groovie Day to the front from Post 4, to score the 1:56.3 victory by one and three-quarter lengths. Ultra consistent Daylon Boy landed in second and Sabayon Hanover got another perfect steer from Keith Oliver to finish third.
Always among the favourites in Gold Series action, Sauble Jackson had captured two eliminations heading into Sunday’s $130,000 showdown, but had finished out of the money in both early season Gold Finals. Shaking off his jinx, the Duane Marfisi trainee finished second in last weekend’s elimination and stepped up to the impressive Gold Final victory on Sunday.
Sauble Hill Farms of Tara bred and own the colt, who more than doubled his earnings with the win, pushing them to $119,742.
Two races after Sauble Jackson’s Gold Final victory Flamboro Downs fans were treated to a pair of exciting Confederation Cup Eliminations, which saw Quality Western and Stonebridge Premio land the top spots. Heading into the Final the elimination winners drew Posts 1 and 8, earning Quality Western the favourite’s role, but it was Stonebridge Premio and Mike Lachance who rocketed off the gate from the outside and stole the $558,000 Cup with an impressive front-end performance in 1:54.3. A son of Camluck, Stonebridge Premio has been a regular on the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold circuit for the last two years.
The three-year-old trotting colts, two-year-old pacing colts and three-year-old pacing colts all enjoy a well deserved break from Ontario Sires Stakes action over the next six weeks. The trotters head to Windsor Raceway for Gold event number four on Sept. 28, while the freshman pacing colts visit Woodbine Racetrack Sept. 22 and the sophomores land at the Campbellville oval Sept. 29.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Flamboro Downs on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 2:45 pm with four Gold Eliminations for the talented two-year-old trotting fillies.