GLOUCESTER, ON — I Wont Dance returned to the Ontario Sires Stakes winner’s circle on Thursday evening, circling the Rideau Carleton Raceway oval in an effortless 1:56.

Starting from Post 7 in the second $40,000 Gold Elimination, I Wont Dance powered away from the starting gate to a :28.2 opening quarter and never faced a challenge through the :59 half and 1:27.2 three-quarters. The Angus Hall son and regular reinsman Trevor Ritchie were on cruise control through the stretch, reaching the wire two lengths ahead of Striking Lindsey and fan favourite P L Cooper.

Trotting specialist Per Henriksen trains I Wont Dance for M Biasuzzi Stable Inc. of Ft. Pierce, FL. In 12 sophomore starts the gelding now has six wins and one second for earnings of $166,202. Thursday’s triumph was his first since capturing a Canadian Breeders Championship Elimination at Mohawk Racetrack on July 18. I Wont Dance kicked off his sophomore season by sweeping the first Gold Series and scoring a runner-up finish in the Goodtimes Elimination at Mohawk Racetrack, but has struggled to regain his momentum since being felled by a virus before the Goodtimes Final.

The other elimination saw Celebrity Hercules earn his first Gold Series trophy with an impressive come from behind effort that brought fan favourite Equity’s eight race win streak to a screeching halt.

Celebrity Hercules started from Post 5, also under the guidance of Trevor Ritchie, and sat fourth through most of the mile while Magic Spice set the pace, knocking off fractions of :28, :57.4 and 1:27.1. Heading for the three-quarters, Ritchie sent Celebrity Hercules up the outside and the Kadabra son reeled in the pacesetter around the final turn. Two lengths on top turning for home, Celebrity Hercules fought hard in the stretch to fend off Equity and earn the Gold Elimination victory in 1:56.2.

Equity settled for second, three-quarters of a length behind the winner, while Magic Spice faded to third, six and a half lengths to the rear.

Thursday’s outing was Celebrity Hercules’ second since the colt was acquired by DDT Stable of Burlington and moved into the John Drennan Stable. Through 16 sophomore starts the colt has now recorded three wins, three seconds and three thirds for earnings of $82,777.

Unraced at two, Celebrity Hercules made his provincial debut in the Gold Series season opener at Mohawk Racetrack in May and finished seventh in his elimination, failing to make the final. The gelding was more successful in his second attempt, finishing third in his elimination at Georgian Downs in July and fourth in the Gold Final. Back at Mohawk in August, Celebrity Hercules delivered fifth-place finishes in both the elimination and final.

Ritchie will have to decide which colt to steer in next Thursday’s $130,000 Gold Final, which will see I Wont Dance start from Post 5 and Celebrity Hercules start from Post 9. The remainder of the Gold Final field will line up as follows behind the Rideau Carleton Raceway starting gate:

Post 1 Magic Spice

Post 2 Equity

Post 3 Lexis Amigo

Post 4 Illusionsndreams

Post 5 I Wont Dance

Post 6 Striking Lindsey

Post 7 Hour Lavec

Post 8 P L Cooper

Post 9 Celebrity Hercules

For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/racing/results/data/r0917ridcfn.dat.