CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Whether they picked him because of his catchy name, his number, or the opinion of the program handicapper, the enthusiastic group of young fans rooting for Flirtin Man at Mohawk Racetrack on Sunday evening went home a couple of dollars richer.
The three-year-old trotting colt delivered an impressive 1:55.3 performance in the second of four Gold Series Eliminations that branded him as the horse to beat heading into next week’s $130,000 Final.
Leaving from Post 8, the Angus Hall son and driver Paul MacDonell settled into seventh spot on the rail and were quickly promoted to sixth when Ready AS went off stride in front of them heading by the quarter-mile marker. Flirtin Man and MacDonell continued to sit comfortably on the rail as Tymal Cherub sprinted to a :56.3 half, but their comfort was disturbed for a second time when Good Knight caused some interference going off stride heading for the three-quarters.
Bouncing back from the interference, MacDonell sent Flirtin Man up the outside and the fan favourites were five lengths behind leader Tymal Cherub at the top of the stretch. As the field straightened out, MacDonell kicked Flirtin Man into high gear and the colt laid down a :27.4 last quarter to edge out Tymal Cherub by a neck and claim the 1:55.3 victory. Cayenne Turbo was nine lengths back in third.
The win was Flirtin Man’s fourth straight this season, with the first two coming at The Meadowlands in April and the third at Woodbine Racetrack on May 10. Michael Vanderkemp trains the talented young trotter for breeder Brittany Farms of Versailles, KY, Juniper II LLC of River Vale, NJ and Let It Ride Stables Inc. of Delray Beach, FL.
Raced just once at two, the impeccably bred colt was a $92,000 US yearling purchase from the 2005 Lexington Select Yearling Sale. Three of his siblings have earned more than $200,000, including Breeders Crown winner Flirtin Miss ($556,812). Flirtin Man will return to Post 8 for next week’s Gold Final.
Jody Jamieson teamed two trotting colts to the winner’s circle on Sunday, the most impressive effort coming with Guilford in the third elimination. Landing in fifth after the early scuffle for position, Guilford went off stride just past the opening quarter and was 12 lengths behind his peers at the :57.4 half. With two horses sitting outside pacesetter Frosty The Genius at the three-quarters, Jamieson sent Guilford three-wide around horses and had regained seven length by the time the colts turned for home.
A strong kick down the wind-battered stretch saw the Angus Hall son rein in the three horses in front of him to claim a one and three-quarter length victory, his fourth in seven starts this season. Favourite Frosty The Genius stayed game for second, while T Js Mr Lavec overcame a tough trip to nail down the third spot.
Jamieson drove Guilford to the 1:57.3 victory for trainer Per Henriksen and owners ASA Farm of Norwood and Thomas Nurmi of Washington, DC. Guilford will start from Post 7 in the May 27 Gold Final.
Last season’s leading Ontario Sires Stakes driver made his second appearance in the winner’s circle with Think Gold, the only colt to lead from gate to wire on the breezy May evening. Leaving from Post 6, Jamieson and Think Gold laid down fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:28 on their way to a 1:57 victory, four lengths ahead of Nasty Dream and Relentless Duke.
Carl Jamieson trains the striking chestnut son of Mr Lavec for his partner Ken Henwood of Mississauga and the Princeton resident prepped the colt for Sunday’s contest with a 1:56.1 victory at Woodbine on May 3.
Think Gold also brings impressive credentials into next week’s Final, where he will start from Post 4. A Gold Elimination winner at two, the colt is a full brother to former Ontario Sires Stakes star Pepi Lavec ($801,377).
The other elimination went to Chelemark Porter, who outsprinted Snazzy Hot Rod to earn the neck decision in 1:58. Pacesetter and fan favourite Zorgwijk Hollander settled for third.
Steve Condren piloted the Balanced Image gelding to his first win of the season for trainer Ron O’Neill and owner-breeder Doug Millard Farms of Woodstock. Ontario Sires Stakes fans will also be familiar with Chelemark Porter’s pedigree as the gelding is a half-brother to former stars Corina’s Mission ($543,891) and Lisa’s Mission ($217,162). Condren and Chelemark Porter will start from Post 1 next Sunday.
The top two finishers from each division will be joined by lucky third-place finishers Zorgwijk Hollander and T Js Mr Lavec in the May 27 Gold Final. The field will line up behind the Mohawk Racetrack starting gate as follows:
Post 1 Chelemark Porter
Post 2 Nasty Dream
Post 3 T Js Mister Lavec
Post 4 Think Gold
Post 5 Snazzy Hot Rod
Post 6 Frosty The Genius
Post 7 Guilford
Post 8 Flirtin Man
Post 9 Tymal Cherub
Post 10 Zorgwijk Hollander
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rmohssu.html