DUNDAS, ON — Class Of O Nine controlled the pace from start to finish at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening to capture the first Gold Final trophy of the two-year-old pacing filly season.

Starting from Post 1, driver Randy Waples sent the elimination winner straight to the front and Class Of O Nine rolled out to a :28.1 opening quarter. Sauble Claire and driver Trevor Henry sat on the outside through much of the race, but failed to threaten Class Of O Nine as the pacesetter carved out a :57.3 half and a 1:26.3 three-quarters.

In the stretch, a fast closing Legal Entity and driver Luc Ouellette tried to reel in Class Of O Nine for the second time in two weeks, but, as in the Gold Elimination, they were forced to settle for second as the fan favourite sailed under the wire three-quarters of a length on top in a personal best 1:55. Flight Delay and Jody Jamieson sat tucked in behind Class Of O Nine throughout the mile and picked up the third-place share of the $130,000 Gold Final purse.

Hall of Fame horseman Bob McIntosh trains Class Of O Nine, and the daughter of Camluck was raised at his Windsor, ON farm. McIntosh and Dwight Stacey of Mitchell, ON bred and own Class Of O Nine, who is a third generation product of their breeding program.

Class Of O Nine prepared for Sunday’s walk to the winner’s circle with a June 17 qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack that saw her tour the seven-eighths mile oval in 1:56.3, finishing one and one-quarter lengths ahead of her peers. In last week’s elimination the talented young pacer stepped off a 1:56.2 victory, reaching the wire one and one-quarter lengths ahead of Legal Entity. Milton, ON resident Waples piloted the filly in her qualifier and last weekend’s Gold Elimination win.

The two-year-old pacing fillies now head to Mohawk for their second Gold Eliminations on Monday, July 11.

Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Flamboro Downs next Sunday, July 10 when the two-year-old trotting fillies will make their Grassroots debut over the Dundas half-miler.

For complete results please go to: Flamboro Downs Results — July 3, 2011