LONDON, ON — Jason Brewer had the key to Western Fair Raceway’s winner’s circle grasped firmly in his hand on Saturday evening, piloting the winners of both the two-year-old pacing filly and pacing colt Gold Finals.

In Race 6 Brewer fired fan favourite St Lads Popcorn away from Post 2 and the duo never faced a challenge as they cruised through fractions of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:26.1 on their way to a commanding two and one-quarter length victory in 1:55.3.

The other elimination winner, Arts Star, circled out three-wide at the three-quarter pole to earn the runner-up share of the $140,000 Gold Final purse, and Take My Pulse followed her up the outside into third.

Jack Darling owns and trains St Lads Popcorn, who has amassed a remarkable freshman season. Since drawing into the first Gold Final off the also eligible list and posting an Ontario Sires Stakes record 1:53.3 victory, the daughter of former Darling trainees Twin B Champ and Hot Butter has only been bested on two occasions. In 12 starts the talented young pacer has nine victories and one second for earnings of $412,323.

A modest $5,000 purchase out of last fall’s Forest City Yearling Sale, St Lads Popcorn made just one start outside the Ontario Sires Stakes program, in the Aug. 10 Robert Stewart Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack where she posted a 1:53.2 victory.

After blazing the trail to the winner’s circle in the first $140,000 Gold Final, Brewer was forced to employ radically different tactics in the two-year-old pacing colt contest.

Starting from Post 3 with Shady Cam, Brewer and the Camluck colt were left flat footed at the start as Shipps Xpectancy rocketed away from the outside Post 7 to a :27.1 opening quarter. Sitting seventh, 10 lengths behind the pacesetter, Brewer sent Shady Cam up the outside behind fan favourite Nebupanezzar and was just six lengths off the pace by the :57 half.

Leading the outer flow, Rescue Plan ran out of gas heading by the 1:26.2 three-quarters and Nebupanezzar and Shady Cam were forced out three-wide. Turning for home Shipps Xpectancy looked ready to claim his first Gold Final title with a two length lead, but the colts behind him were starting to rev their engines.

A thrilling four horse stretch drive ensued, with Shady Cam and Brewer getting up for a neck decision over Shipps Xpectancy and Trail Boss. Two-time Gold Final winner Nebupanezzar was just three-quarters of a length back in fourth.

The 1:55.4 triumph was Shady Cam’s third in Gold Series action. The Rodney Duford trainee also captured a Gold Consolation at Mohawk Racetrack on July 20 and a Gold Elimination at Flamboro Downs on Aug. 10.

Harrow resident Larry Pollard bred and owns Shady Cam, the seventh foal from $232,613 winner Shady Willow. Through 11 starts the brother to $165,055 winner Armbro Domi has accumulated three wins, three seconds, one third and earnings of $165,120. Shady Cam ranks second in the division point standings behind Nebupanezzar.

The top 10 point earners from each division will now begin final preparations for their respective $300,000 Super Final at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday, Nov. 15.

For complete results please go to: http://www.previewsc.ca/racing/results/data/r1108lonn.dat.