INNISFIL, ON — Georgian Downs fans were treated to an early display of speed by the three-year-old trotting colts when Cincinnati Kid set a track record in the first of three Gold Series Eliminations on Saturday evening.
Leaving from Post 4, the Angus Hall son and driver Randy Fritz assumed command of the race just past the :28.3 opening quarter and proceeded to roar through fractions of :57.3 and 1:26.4 before charging under the wire to the 1:55.3 victory. Runner-up Grand Sovereign delivered an impressive effort, finishing just three-quarters of a length behind Cincinnati Kid, while reigning Gold Final champion Samuel Oaks settled for third seven lengths to the rear.
Cincinnati Kid’s time took three-fifths of a second off the 1:56.1 mark recorded by former Ontario Sires Stakes star Abbey Road C in 2002. The win was the colt’s second in a row and follows up on an impressive 1:54.4 victory in the Canadian Trotting Classic Consolation at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 25.
Harald Lunde trains Cincinnati Kid for Fred Monteleone Stable LLC. of Pompano Beach, FL and the Campbellville resident seems to have turned the colt’s season around. Since joining the Lunde barn in mid August the colt has recorded two victories and one second in five starts and banked $80,049.
Although at a more sedate pace, In Conchnito’s victory in the second Gold Elimination was equally impressive. The Bob McIntosh trainee and driver Don McElroy cruised around the five-eighths mile oval on the front, reaching the wire two and a half lengths ahead of B Cor Kenny and Valvec in 1:57.4.
A Gold Final winner at Woodbine Racetrack on July 3, last year’s division leader has put together another impressive season for owner-breeders Robert McIntosh Stables Inc. of La Salle, Dave Boyle of Bowmanville and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. Through 15 starts the King Conch son has recorded six victories and five seconds for earnings of $430,946.
Loose Change Louie collared the final division, giving Georgian Downs fans an impressive three-for-three record at picking favourites for the evening’s Gold Series divisions. Opting for a different strategy than his peers, the San Pellegrino son and driver Dan Clements stalked pacesetter Angus Scot through fractions of :27.3, :58.3 and 1:28 before stepping out in the lane to claim the 1:58.2 victory by two lengths.
Angus Scot, owned by Antonio Tangreda of Kettleby, held on for second while Kings Ransom trotted into third in the $34,556 contest.
A steady competitor on the Ontario Sires Stakes scene, Loose Change Louie is trained by Joe Stutzman for Brent Belore of Embro, Michael Robblee of Woodstock, Ronald Thomson of Embro and George Cuthbert of Ingersoll. The win was the gelding’s second straight Gold Elimination triumph and his fourth victory of the season.
The top three finishers from each Gold Elimination will square off at Georgian Downs on Saturday, Oct. 9 in the last $130,000 Gold Final of their careers. For colts hovering near the current cut off of 69 points, like Grand Sovereign and Angus Scot, next weekend’s Final will give them one last opportunity to move into the top 10 and secure a berth in the rich $300,000 Super Final at Mohawk Racetrack on Nov. 13.