GLOUCESTER, ON — Not content to rest on her laurels, three-year-old trotting filly Peaceful Way put on another speed show in the $130,000 Gold Final at Rideau Carleton Raceway Wednesday.
After setting the track record and equalling the Ontario Sires Stakes record in the elimination last week, the Angus Hall daughter was the prohibitive favourite heading into Wednesday’s contest and she did not disappoint her backers.
Leaving from Post 2 with Chris Christoforou in the race bike, the filly landed in fourth spot through the early going, content to allow Miss Michelle H to roll out fractions of :28.2 and :58.2. Just after the halfway marker Christoforou moved Peaceful Way to the outside and asked her to kick it up a notch and the filly responded with a powerful move that saw her hit the three-quarters in 1:26.2.
Two and a half lengths up on the competition at the head of the stretch, Peaceful Way increased her margin with every stride, hitting the wire four and one-quarter lengths ahead of Incredible Iam in a track and OSS record 1:55.3. Miss Michelle H hung on for third, reaching the finish line a full second behind Peaceful Way.
Her first Gold Final win of the season boosted Peaceful Way’s sophomore earnings to $293,590 and her lifetime bank balance to $1,285,112.
Fans placing their faith in last season’s division champion and O’Brien Award winner earned $2.40 to win, $2.30 to place and $2.10 to show. Longshot Incredible Iam paid $11.20 on each place ticket and $4.70 on a show wager, while second choice Miss Michelle H returned $2.20 to show. The exactor was worth $24.70 and the triactor returned $75.00.
Trainer Dave Tingley of Guelph, Joseph and Barbara Myers’ Goin My Way Stable of Holland, PA and breeder Angie Stiller of Arva share ownership on the gifted Peaceful Way, who is expected to make her next start in the Simcoe Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 8.
The three-year-old trotting fillies do not return to Gold Series action until Oct. 31 at Windsor Raceway, wrapping up their regular season just six days before the Nov. 13 Super Final.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, Oct. 17 with Grassroots competition for the two-year-old trotting colts.