SARNIA, ON — Two-time Lampman Cup winner Don McElroy gave Wanabeamillionaire a championship steer to record the fastest of four Trillium divisions at Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday evening.
Leaving from Post 6 McElroy sent Wanabeamillionaire directly to the front with an impressive :27.4 opening quarter. The veteran reinsman gave the three-year-old trotting filly a breather en route to the :59.2 half and then stepped up the pace again to reach the three-quarters in 1:28. Crown Royalty mounted a challenge up the outside, but McElroy when stepped on the gas Wanabeamillionaire responded with a solid finishing kick that propelled her to the 1:57.3 victory.
Crown Royalty trotted into second place, one and a quarter lengths behind the winner, while favourite Oaklea Lizzy made a break at the top of the stretch and had to settle for third.
The win was Wanabeamillionaire’s second of the 2003 season, improving her record to two wins, one second and one third in six starts for earnings of $47,567. Scott McEneny trains the Mr Lavec lass for owner Robert Waxman of Ancaster.
Armbro Amaze extended her win streak to three races with an impressive come-from-behind victory in the first Trillium division. The King Conch daughter and regular driver Ross Battin launched their attack on North To Alaska heading for the three-quarters and maintained the pressure until the pacesetter yielded the lead heading down the stretch. Snazzy Millie delivered a steady performance to land the third-place share of the $16,512 share of the Trillium purse.
The 1:58.1 mile was a personal best for Armbro Amaze, who has been unstoppable since capturing the Dream Of Glory Final at Hanover Raceway on Aug. 2. Frank O’Reilly of Orton trains the filly for his partners John Fielding of Toronto and John Jesson of Tillsonburg.
Shebeasabrefan scored her first win of the season in the second division, capitalising on smart early fractions with a powerful late move. The Royal Strength daughter and trainer-driver Jim Whelan landed in sixth spot through the early going and made their move to the outside before the halfway marker. Six lengths behind at the three-quarters Shebeasabrefan shifted into high gear heading around the final turn, closing the gap to one and a half lengths by the top of the stretch, then continued on to a two length victory in 1:58.2.
Pacesetter Armbro Acunar settled for second and Zorgwijk Delmonica closed well to finish third with favourite Northern Pixie hot on her heels in fourth. Troy resident Whelan shares ownership on Shebeasabrefan with Clarence Devos of Langton and Paul Lindsey of Fergus.
Chelemark Ginger also used a late rush to capture the third Trillium division for trainer-driver Paul Walker of Owen Sound and Carscot Stables of Toronto. The Super Pleasure daughter closed from sixth at the top of the stretch to get a nose in front of favourite Lexus Hall at the wire, stopping the clock at 1:59. Dream Alone barely held off Decadent Pagan to land the third-place share.
Thursday’s Trillium skirmish was the last for the three-year-old trotting fillies. The Ontario-bred members of the field head back into Gold Series action Sept. 28 at Flamboro Downs or Grassroots action Sept. 1 at Dresden Raceway while their American-bred peers head for stakes engagements south of the border.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Hiawatha Horse Park on Thursday, Sept. 25 with the fourth Grassroots event for the two-year-old trotting colts.