DUNDAS, ON — Ontario’s talented two-year-old pacing fillies did not let a day of rain dampen their on-track performances in a pair of Gold Series Eliminations at Flamboro Downs on Friday afternoon.
Division leader Taylor Lynne kicked off the Ontario Sires Stakes action with a wire-to-wire performance, posting a 2:01 effort on the sloppy track rated three second slower than normal. Driver Jody Jamieson sent the Fit For Life daughter straight to the front from Post 6 and easily disposed of a challenge by Scott McEneny trainee Cheapertokeeper at the three-quarter pole to sail home to the two and a half length victory. Favourite Double Creme settled for the second-place finisher’s share of the $61,871 purse, while R Bs Rocket rounded out the top three and Cheapertokeeper snuck into next week’s Final with a fourth-place effort.
Trainer Carl Jamieson of Princeton, Gerald Rattray of Hamilton, Jerry Jamieson of Blenheim and Arthur Slack of Cumbria, England share ownership on Taylor Lynne, who has a stranglehold on top spot in the division standings with a total of 245 points. A modest $15,500 purchase as a yearling, Taylor Lynne improved her record to four wins, three seconds and one third in 10 starts and boosted her earnings to $197,185 with Friday’s triumph.
Three races later first time Gold starter Serious Comfort one-upped the division leader with an impressive 1:58.3 victory over the rain-soaked oval. Leaving from Post 5 driver Roger Mayotte eased Serious Comfort off the gate to land at the rear of the five-horse field. As A And Gs Rockette laid down fractions of :30, 1:00 and 1:29.1 on the front end Mayotte and Serious Comfort were steadily gaining ground up the outside and by the top of the stretch were just a nose behind the pacesetter.
A sharp finishing kick propelled fan favourite Serious Comfort down the lane to her second straight victory and moved her into contention for a spot in the season ending Super Final. A And Gs Rockette picked up the runner-up cheque and Venus Killean was third, with Blue Alert earning the last spot on the gate in the Sept. 26 Gold Final.
Roy Jeffries trains Serious Comfort for breeders Millar Farms of Newmarket, and the veteran conditioner opted not to start the Precious Bunny daughter until late August. She finished second in a non-winners of one race event at Woodbine Racetrack on Aug. 26 and then established herself as a serious player on the provincial scene with a 1:54.1 victory in a division of the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 5. Friday’s victory boosted her three start bank balance to $80,422.
The top four finishers from each elimination will return to Flamboro Downs on Friday, Sept. 26 for the fourth $130,000 Gold Final on the two-year-old pacing filly schedule.