ELORA, ON — Grand River Raceway fans overlooked elimination winner Witch Way in Monday’s $130,000 Gold Final, but the two-year-old trotting filly made it clear early that she had come to Elora ready for battle.
Starting from the advantageous Post 1, Wark Woman trotted away from the starting gate to a :30.2 opening quarter with Gold Elimination winners Circles and Witch Way on her heels. Heading into the second turn driver Randy Waples tipped Witch Way to the outside and the Ken Warkentin miss sailed on by the pacesetter, reaching the half in 1:00.4.
Destinys Magic pressed the pace from the 1:31.2 three-quarters, but could not get around Witch Way, who matched her step for step until the stretch when Waples hit the accelerator. Witch Way trotted strongly to the wire, halting the teletimer at 2:04, half a length of a hard closing Circles and one length ahead of Destinys Magic. Fan favourite Counter Pointe made an early miscue and had to settle for the fourth-place share of the $130,000 purse.
Waples engineered the victory for trainer Joe MacIsaac of Moffat and owners Doug Millard of Woodstock and Carolyn Williston of Moffat. Williston also bred the daughter of Ken Warkentin and Chelemark Gizmo, who was a 2:03.3 victor in last week’s elimination round.
MacIsaac prepared Witch Way for her Ontario Sires Stakes campaign with two qualifiers at Mohawk Racetrack. In the first, on June 11, Witch Way made an early break, but in the second, on June 16, the filly delivered a flawless 2:02 victory. Waples crafted the second qualifying effort and was also in the race bike for last week’s elimination win.
Witch Way will have her first opportunity to defend her Gold Final title when the two-year-old trotting fillies head to Flamboro Downs on July 20 for their second Gold Series event.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, Aug. 3 with Grassroots action for the two-year-old trotting colts.
For complete results please go to: Grand River Raceway Results — July 11, 2011