LONDON, ON — Saturday’s Gold Series Eliminations at Western Fair Raceway featured a pair of upsets, as both favourites in the two-year-old trotting colt event were forced to settle for second-place.
The colts kicked off the London oval’s second evening of racing and veteran reinsman Lyle MacArthur wasted no time putting Lucky George on the front from Post 4. The Angus Hall son rolled easily through fractions of :30.4, 1:01.2 and 1:32.1 without facing a serious challenge and cruised home to a 2:02 victory by two and three-quarter lengths. Favourite Grand Sovereign recovered from an early break in stride to finish second and B Cor Kenny was three more lengths back in third. Fourth-place finisher Savannah Sirius also advanced to next Saturday’s $130,000 Gold Final.
Sent off as the second longest shot in the five horse field, Lucky George returned $19.70 to win, $5.90 to place and $2.90 to show. Grand Sovereign’ fans earned $2.50 on a place wager and $2.60 for a show voucher, while long shot B Cor Kenny returned $6.40 to show. The 5 – 4 exactor combination netted fans $50.90.
Trained by Shane Acton for numbered company 874301 Ontario Limited of Scotland, Lucky George has amassed a resume of three wins and one second through 10 starts this season for earnings of $86,605. Now a two-time Gold Elimination winner, the colt sits fourth in the division standings with 138 points.
Opting for a very different strategy, “Mr. OSS” Dave Wall piloted Angus Scot to a 2:02.3 victory in the second elimination. Leaving from Post 5 the veteran reinsman settled Angus Scot into fourth spot through the early going as Odee Scoot took the colts through fractions of :31.1 and 1:02.4. Heading for the 1:32.1 three-quarters favourite In Conchnito took command of the race and it looked like Angus Scot was going to trot into second, but when Wall asked the Angus Hall son for a final burst of speed the gelding shifted gears and powered to a half length victory.
The fans’ second choice, Angus Scot paid $6.00 to win, $6.80 to place and $3.20 to show, while In Conchnito returned $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Long shot Odee Scoot stayed game for third and repaid his backers $2.90 for a show wager. The exactor pairing Angus Scot and In Conchnito was worth $38.00.
A steady performer in the Gold Series ranks, Angus Scot has crafted a workmanlike season of two wins, two seconds and two thirds in 10 starts and earnings of $81,301 for trainer Paul Shakes of Stayner and his partner Antonio Tangreda of Kettleby. Saturday’s victory moved him into the division’s top 10 with 109 points.
Also advancing to the Nov. 1 Gold Final from the second elimination was fourth-place finisher Armbro Believe.