INNISFIL, ON — Funny Bones may not have circled the Georgian Downs oval as fast as he did in last week’s elimination round, but the two-year-old pacing colt still managed to stand out from the crowd in Saturday’s $130,000 Gold Final.

The Grinfromeartoear son started from Post 6 in the Gold Final, but driver Mario Baillargeon employed the same strategy he used from the rail in the elimination, sending Funny Bones straight to the front. The pair clicked off a :27.1 first quarter, then backed the tempo down through the :57.1 half.

Picking up the pace again in the third stage of the race, Funny Bones hit the three-quarters in 1:25.2 and then drew away from the field as though they were standing still, reaching the top of the stretch eight lengths ahead of the nearest challenger. Pacing alone down the stretch the colt hit the wire in 1:55.1, with Canyoukeepasecret and Twin B Survivor six lengths back in second and third.

While slower than the 1:52.4 track record Funny Bones clocked in the elimination, Saturday’s seemingly effortless victory brands the colt as the early king of the Gold Series.

Brenda Teague trains the winner of $79,553 for Only Money Inc. of Hartly, DE, Teague Inc. of Houston, DE and Warren Racing Stable of Harrington, DE. The partners acquired the son of Grinfromeartoear and Armbro Mermaid at last fall’s Lexington Select Sale for a comparatively modest $18,000.

Georgian Downs fans sent Funny Bones off as their overwhelming favourite and the colt returned $2.90 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Third choice Canyoukeepasecret delivered a $4.00 place pay out and a $2.80 return on a show voucher and fourth choice Twin B Survivor paid $3.70 to show.

The exactor was worth $17.20 and the triactor paid $79.50. Selecting the top three finishers and fourth-place finisher Warrawee Ideal, owned by Fred Brayford of Alliston, Carl Jamieson of Princeton, George Arthur Stable of Rockwood and Robin Raine of Cumbria, ENG, for a $2 superfecta wager netted fans $337.30.

Funny Bones will attempt to extend his winning streak to three in the second Gold Series event on Sunday, July 2 at Mohawk Racetrack. Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Georgian Downs on Tuesday, June 27 with nine Grassroots divisions for the three-year-old pacing fillies.

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgeodfsa.html#N9