WINDSOR, ON — Upsets abounded at Windsor Raceway on Wednesday night as both favourites in the two-year-old trotting filly Gold Eliminations finished out of the top three.
In the first elimination Windsor Raceway fans selected division leader Independent Woman as their top choice and the Royal Strength lass looked all set to score her seventh victory when she made an uncharacteristic break in stride going by the three-quarter mile marker. Pocket sitter Wescott took full advantage of the miscue as driver Kevin Wallis guided her to her first victory in a solid 2:00.2.
Mikestory was three and a half lengths back in second after challenging for the lead through the final turn and Jar Jar Binx earned the third-place finisher’s share of the $49,095 purse. Wanabeamillionaire advanced to the Oct. 2 Gold Final by virtue of her fourth-place showing.
Trained by David Jannone for Wescott LLC of Neenah, WI, Wescott moved into third spot in the Super Final point race with the win and boosted her earnings to $61,362.
Wescott returned $9.20 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.70 to show for her efforts. As the fans’ second choice Mikestory paid just $3.20 and $3.20 for her runner-up showing and long shot Jar Jar Binx returned $5.70 to show. The exactor was worth $27.20 and the triactor returned $204.20.
In the second elimination favourite Aimees Image was at her cantankerous worst, getting away at the rear of the field and having to close like gangbusters to earn fourth-place and a spot in the Gold Final. As a result the door was thrown wide open and veteran reinsman Carman Hie employed a come from behind strategy to earn For The Luva Moni her first Gold Series trophy in a 2:01.2 clocking.
The Balanced Image daughter was making her first start at the Gold level after sweeping through a pair of Grassroots divisions on Aug. 21 and Sept. 1. Trainer Dr. John Hayes of Beamsville and his partners Kim Kaplan of Worcester, MA and Ned Gvoich of Beamsville now have one Ontario Sires Stakes trophy each to display on their mantles.
The trio paid a bargain basement $10,000 (US) for the filly at last fall’s Kentucky Standardbred Yearling Sale and For The Luva Moni has earned them a hearty $41,975 (CDN) return on their investment in just three starts.
First time Gold starter Crown Royalty earned the second-place finisher’s cheque and Nomireatras made a jump into the top 10 with her third-place effort.
For The Luva Moni fans earned $5.90, $3.80 and $2.80 for their two dollar investment while those who put their faith in newcomer Crown Royalty banked $55.20 for a place wager and $15.20 to show. Nomireatras returned $3.60 to show. Fans with the 7 – 5 exactor took home $199.50 and those having the wisdom to add Nomireatras to a triactor ticket picked up $632.00.
Fifth-place finishers Cinnabar Hanover and Starry Image will have to wait for the results of the draw to see whether a return trip to Windsor Raceway is in their cards, but the top four finishers from each elimination have already got Oct. 2 programmed into their Palm Pilots.