CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Fans who caught Sunday evening’s Gold Elimination performance by the two-year-old pacing colts are already making plans to return to Mohawk Racetrack for next weekend’s Gold Final.
The colts put on an outstanding display of talent and speed in their first appearance on the provincial stage, kicked off in the first $40,000 elimination by a thrilling stretch drive.
Starting from Post 4, Daleys Interest was sharpest off the gate and led the field of seven to a :28 opening quarter. The Modern Art son’s hold on the lead was brief however, as Randy Waples had Sonic Seelster up and moving before the :57 half. The colts engaged in a second game of share the lead heading for the 1:26.3 three-quarters when Mcmaverick powered up the outside and shuffled Sonic Seelster into second.
By the top of the stretch Mcmaverick had a one length lead, but Mach Dreamer had been dogging his heels with no intention of settling for second best. Mach Dreamer and Mcmaverick battled down the stretch, with Tigers Mattjesty trying to get in on the action from the pocket, but at the wire Mach Dreamer and Luc Ouellette were awarded the half length victory in 1:55.1.
McMaverick took second place honours and Tigers Mattjesty had to settle for third after a miscue at the wire. Fourth-place finisher Daleys Interest also advanced to next week’s Gold Final, selected by random draw from among the three fourth-placed colts.
Murray Brethour trains Mach Dreamer for owner-breeder Stephen Scarff of Halifax, NS, and the veteran horseman gave the Mach Three son two practice outings before Sunday’s provincial test. The colt debuted at Kawartha Downs on June 27, tagging along to finish eighth in a 1:56.4 overnight event, then delivered a runner-up effort at Mohawk on July 5, pacing home in :27.1 to hit the finish in 1:58.4.
While the second elimination featured less action on the front end, the colts delivered a late race surge of speed that had fans on their feet.
Whatamach had a quick look at the front end, reaching the :28.2 quarter on top, but Lyons Danny moved rapidly up the outside to take command well before the :57 half. Jack Moiseyev guided the Astreos colt through a 1:26 three-quarters and then cranked up the tempo to hit the wire in 1:53.1. In spite of a tour around the outside of the Campbellville oval, Future Million and Brusiers Brother were able to match the late race speed to earn the second and third-place finisher’s spoils.
Sunday’s victory was Lyons Danny’s third appearance in the winner’s circle through three starts. The colt captured a freshman overnight at Mohawk on June 28 with a 1:56.4 effort, then posted a 1:56.1 triumph in the Bud Light Stakes at Flamboro Downs on July 5. Joseph Lyons Mound of Burford owns the talented young pacer, while Shawn Robinson handles the training.
The last elimination featured both an outstanding stretch drive and lightening fast final quarters, as all eight colts sprinted home in :27.4 or faster.
Medoland Big Cam hustled away from Post 6 to reach the opening quarter in a sharp :27.3. At that point driver Jason Brewer eased off the gas and allowed Adrenaline to post the :58 halfway clocking. Hot on Adrenaline’s heels was Toughest Of All, who led the field past the 1:27 three-quarters and around the final turn.
As the youngsters straightened out for home, less than three lengths separated the first five colts, and they were all reaching for the overdrive button. An eye-popping :26.2 sprint powered Grin For Money from fifth spot to the one and one-quarter length victory, with Wellthereyougo and Adrenaline rounding out the top three.
Sylvain Filion engineered the 1:54.2 victory for trainer John Kopas and the members of the Grin For Money Stable, part of the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario New Owners program. Longtime harness racing owner Tom Brodhurst of London mentors the group, who have been delighted with their ownership experience thus far. A $20,000 yearling purchase at the Canadian Open Sale last fall, Grin For Money already has a third-place finish in the July 5 Bud Light Stakes and Sunday’s Gold Elimination triumph to his credit through two starts.
The Grinfromeartoear son will start from Post 5 in next Sunday’s $130,000 Gold Final, with the remainder of the field lined up alongside him as follows:
Two-year-old colt pace Gold Final — Sunday, July 19 at Mohawk Racetrack
Post 1 Mcmaverick
Post 2 Brusiers Brother
Post 3 Lyons Danny
Post 4 Tigers Mattjesty
Post 5 Grin For Money
Post 6 Daleys Interest
Post 7 Mach Dreamer
Post 8 Future Million
Post 9 Wellthereyougo
Post 10 Adrenaline
For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/racing/results/data/r0712mohsn.dat.