ELORA, ON — The Henry Stable made an impressive showing in Gold Elimination action at Grand River Raceway on Monday evening, qualifying two freshman trotting fillies for next week’s $130,000 Gold Final.
The Arthur-based operation kicked things off in impressive style when Wayne Henry teamed Counter Pointe to a track record equaling 2:00.4 victory in the first $40,000 Gold Elimination. The fan favourites took command of the lead heading for the three-quarter mile marker and simply left the field behind, reaching the wire more than 12 lengths ahead of Dee Dee Pucker. Warrawee Nuke, co-owned by breeder Dr. Michael Wilson of Rockwood, rounded out the top three.
Wayne Henry engineered the win for his partners in the Henry Stable of Arthur, Dan McCann of Parkhill and Jeff Thomson of Chesley. The group purchased Counter Pointe out of last fall’s Forest City Yearling Sale, offering up $60,000 for the daughter of Striking Sahbra and Garland Bonita.
Henry prepared Counter Pointe for Monday’s performance with a 2:00.3 qualifying effort at Mohawk Racetrack on June 11. The talented filly will attempt a second victory from Post 4 in next Monday’s Gold Final.
The second elimination saw Witch Way cruise to a one and a half length victory in a comparatively sedate 2:03.3. Wark Woman, owned by breeder Emerald Ridge Farm of Rockwood, trainer Carl Jamieson of Princeton and Glengate Farms of Campbellville, trotted into second, with Frisky Strike another length back in third.
Milton resident Randy Waples piloted Witch Way to the victory for trainer Joseph MacIsaac. Douglas Millard of Woodstock and breeder Carolyn Williston of Moffat share ownership on the daughter of Ken Warkentin, who delivered a 2:02 win in her second qualifying attempt at Mohawk on June 16. Waples will send Witch Way off the starting gate from Post 2 next Monday.
Wayne Henry earned his second ticket to the Gold Final in the third elimination, guiding Quantum Ladydabra to a runner-up finish behind Circles. Shelley Henry of Arthur, Vince Orlando of Leamington and Jason Brewer of Puslinch share ownership of Quantum Ladydabra.
Circles will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of her elder brother Buckhams Bay, a winner of $308,800 who swept to victory in his elimination and the Gold Final at Grand River Raceway last season. Jacques Hebert piloted Circles to her first lifetime victory for trainer-owner-breeder John Smith of Woodlawn, and will be back in the race bike next Monday, hampered by the outside Post 8.
My Old Flame rounded out the top three finishers in the third Gold Elimination, five lengths behind the dueling leaders.
The final elimination also featured a stretch battle, which was won by Guelph resident Paul MacDonell and his mount Destinys Magic. The pair reeled in Northern Senorita and Karen Hudon in the stretch to post a half length victory in 2:03.2. Acton resident Hudon shares ownership of Northern Senorita with R A W Equine Inc. of Burlington and Herbert Boggs of Duncan, BC.
MacDonell engineered the victory for trainer Daniel Lagace and his partners Jack Darling Stables Ltd. and Michelle Gagne, all of Cambridge. The Kadabra daughter, a $7,000 bargain at last fall’s Lexington Select Yearling Sale, posted two wins in qualifying action at Mohawk Racetrack prior to her debut on Monday, the first in 2:05.1 on June 16, the second a 2:01.2 mile on June 24. Guelph resident MacDonell will send her after a Gold Final title from Post 3 on Monday.
Fiorentina gave Carl Jamieson his second top three finish of the evening, reaching the wire seven lengths behind Destinys Magic and Northern Senorita.
The top two finishers from each elimination earned a return invitation to the Grand River Raceway oval for next Monday’s Gold Final. The complete line-up for the $130,000 skirmish is as follows:
$130,000 Gold Series Final — Monday, July 11 at Grand River Raceway
Post 1 Wark Woman
Post 2 Witch Way
Post 3 Destinys Magic
Post 4 Counter Pointe
Post 5 Dee Dee Pucker
Post 6 Quantum Ladydabra
Post 7 Northern Senorita
Post 8 Circles
Also Eligible 1 Frisky Strike
Also Eligible 2 Fiorentina
Also Eligible 3 Warrawee Nuke
For complete results please go to: Grand River Raceway Results — July 4, 2011