GLOUCESTER, ON — Dr Robert Johns reeled off the fastest of three freshman trotting colt Gold Series Eliminations at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday night and in the process extended the jinx that has hovered over the Mark Steacy stable at the Ottawa oval.

In rein to Sylvain Filion, Dr Robert Johns sprinted to the front from Post 8 and laid down all the fractions en route to the 1:59.4 victory, hitting the wire two and one-quarter lengths ahead of Steacy’s Majestic Son and four and a quarter lengths ahead of Campbell Hall.

Trained by Moffat resident Anders Wolden for his partner Katherine Moi of Moffat, Dr Robert Johns made his freshman debut in the Grassroots season opener at Hiawatha Horse Park on July 14, but made a break heading toward the three-quarters and had to settle for sixth. Sick for the second Grassroots event, the Balanced Image son earned his ticket to the Gold Series game with a smart qualifier at Mohawk Racetrack on Aug. 12 that saw him cruise under the wire nine lengths ahead of the competition in 2:02.4.

If he retains his form for next week’s Gold Final, the $16,000 yearling acquisition could threaten the 1:58 track record for two-year-old trotting colts that has held since 1998.

Distant Memories captured the second elimination for owner and trainer Paul Barkley of Morrisburg and earned driver Sylvain Filion his second trip to the Ontario Sires Stakes winner’s circle. Leaving from Post 1 the Mr Lavec son took quick control of the race, laying down fractions of :30, 1:01 and 1:30.3 before drawing away to a three and a half length win in 2:00.3.

The win Distant Memories’s second of the season and his first in provincial action. Through six starts the young trotter now boasts a record of two wins, one second and one third.

Zorgwijk Graduate and Jimmy Hill also advanced to the Aug. 28 Gold Final from the second $34,455 elimination.

The last elimination was claimed by trotting specialist Trevor Ritchie and Upfront Navigator, who also opted for a front end strategy from Post 2. The pair cruised around the Ottawa oval in 2:03, hitting the wire two lengths ahead of Yorktown Gunner and Was It A Dream.

Doug McIntosh trains the Yankee Paco son for Ed Mullinax of Amherst, OH and Frank Dettore of North Ridgeville, OH. The pair acquired Upfront Navigator from the Harrisburg Yearling Sale for $52,000 and have deposited $17,902 against their investment through the colt’s first two starts.

The top three finishers from each elimination will advance to next Sunday’s $130,000 Gold Final with the colts lining up behind Rideau Carleton Raceway’s starting gate in the following order:

Post 1 Zorgwijk Graduate

Post 2 Upfront Navigator

Post 3 Was It A Dream

Post 4 Majestic Son

Post 5 Dr Robert Johns

Post 6 Campbell Hall

Post 7 Jimmy Hill

Post 8 Yorktown Gunner

Post 9 Distant Memories

AE1 Rush Fan

AE2 Simple Life

AE3 Lord Valentine

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rridcfsu.html