REXDALE, ON — Double Creme delivered an impressive finishing kick to capture the two-year-old pacing fillies $130,000 Gold Final at Woodbine Racetrack on Monday evening.
Sitting at the back of the pack through lightning fast early fractions of :26.3, :55.1 and 1:24, Double Creme did not make a move until the fillies were heading for the three-quarter marker, but when driver Randy Waples asked for speed the filly delivered. Eight lengths back at the three-quarters, she was within six lengths of leader Warrawee Flare at the top of the stretch and continued to pour on the power through the final strides to a three-quarter length 1:54.1 victory.
Elimination winners Venus Killean and Warrawee Flare finished second and third.
“They were motoring along pretty good up there. She’s lazy, so it was tough to keep up to them,” said Waples from the winner’s circle. “Around the last turn she felt really strong, so I thought I could at least reel them in to finish third anyway. Down the lane she really kicked in, so I was very happy with her.”
Waples handles the filly for trainer Bill Robinson of Hagersville and owners Thomas Costanzo, Jr., Joseph Fischetti and Nanny Stables of Staten Island, NY and TLP Stable of Kearny, NJ.
After piloting Double Creme to a runner-up performance in last week’s elimination round Waples knew the Albert Albert daughter had a strong finishing kick and had an idea things might work out in his favour when Paul Mackenzie and Josee Rocket and Kelvin Rose and R Bs Rocket got things off to a quick early start.
“They were high-speed horses out in front. Mackenzie’s mare, she’s a high-speed one, and Kelvin Rose’s, she showed a lot of front-end speed last week,” said the Milton resident. “He (Rose) was having a lot of trouble getting around Paul going into the first turn. So they were going fast and it just worked out our way.”
A full sister to $117,943 winner Creme Brulee, Double Creme was a bargain $6,500 US purchase at last fall’s New Jersey Classic Yearling Sale and has already earned $75,978 through two starts this season.
Savvy Woodbine fans liked the way the filly performed in her elimination and sent her off as their top choice, with Venus Killean and Warrawee Flare their second and third picks.
The talented youngsters make their next Gold Series stop at Georgian Downs on July 15, while those who opt to move down to the Grassroots level head for Kawartha Downs on July 19.
Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Woodbine Racetrack on Thursday night, when the equally gifted two-year-old pacing colts arrive for their second Gold Series Eliminations.