GLOUCESTER, ON — In less than two minutes, three-year-old trotting colt Majestic Son accomplished a great deal at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday evening.

With a seemingly effortless 1:56 victory the colt qualified for next weekend’s Gold Final, brought an end to the Ontario Sires Stakes drought that has plagued trainer Mark Steacy at Rideau Carleton, and shaved two-fifths of a second off the track record established by Gold Series competitor Brancaleone last season.

Sent off as tremendous favourites in the second $49,483 Gold Elimination, Majestic Son and driver Trevor Ritchie opted out of the early battle for the lead, allowing Breaking Benjamin and Quantum The King to land on the rail in front of them. Heading for the :29.2 opening quarter Ritchie sent Majestic Son up the outside and the talented trotter had things well in hand by the :59.1 half.

Ritchie did not shift the Angus Hall son into high gear until they had passed the 1:28 three-quarters, but when he did, Majestic Son quickly opened up a five length lead that he carried down the stretch and under the wire. Breaking Benjamin claimed second-place honours, five and a half lengths behind the winner, and Colonel Talbot was another length back in third. Reigning Gold Final winner Mr Lemon also advanced to next week’s $130,000 Gold Final from the second elimination.

Lansdowne resident Mark Steacy trains Majestic Son for A K Malik Stable of Ottawa, Dr. Malcolm Man Son Hing of Nepean, David McDonald of Cornwall and David Reid of Glenburnie. The partners have watched their gifted colt capture three of five races this season, including the June 17 Goodtimes Final at Woodbine Racetrack. As a two-year-old Majestic Son led the Gold Series division standings with $332,773 in Ontario Sires Stakes earnings and wins in the season ending Super Final, one Gold Final and two Gold Eliminations.

Trevor Ritchie also piloted the winner of the first division. Subbing for regular reinsman Mike Saftic on Swan Image, Ritchie sent the colt straight to the front from Post 2 and hung on for a three-quarter length decision over Was It A Dream. Campbell Hall finished third and B Cor Rennegade recovered from an early break to nail down the fourth spot and advance to next Sunday’s Final.

Susanne Kerwood trains Swan Image for C. and I. Siegel Racing Stable of Staten Island, NY. The Balanced Image son raced just once as a two-year-old and has seven starts under his belt this season, amassing a record of one win, four seconds and earnings of $44,290.

The top four finishers from each elimination, plus one fifth-place finisher selected by random draw, will return to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday, July 2 for the second $130,000 Gold Final on their sophomore schedule.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rridcfsu.html