GLOUCESTER, ON — Independent Woman reclaimed top spot in the two-year-old trotting filly division with a 2:01.1 score at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Wednesday night, the fastest of two Gold Series Eliminations on the midweek program.
The Royal Strength daughter and driver Wayne Henry fired to the front from Post 4 and ambled through fractions of :30.4, 1:01.4 and 1:30.1 en route to a four length score over Jar Jar Binx, who was the only one of nine entrants to stay within hailing distance of Independent Woman throughout the mile.
Snazzy Millie recovered from an early break in stride to scoop up the third-place position, eight lengths behind the leader, and Oaklea Lizzy also closed well to seal up a spot in next Wednesday’s $130,000 Gold Final. Cinnabar Hanover finished fifth and will have to wait for the results of the draw to see if she lucks into a spot in the rich Final. Reigning Gold Final champ and fan favourite Mikestory faded badly through the last quarter, sliding from third to eighth, and failing to advance to the second round.
The win was the fifth in seven starts for Independent Woman, who has amassed $147,923 in her brief career for trainer Ross Henry of Arthur and his sons Trevor and Wayne, partners in the Henry Stable. The filly swept her elimination and the Final of the season opening Gold event at Flamboro Downs, won her elimination at Woodbine Racetrack on July 29 and finished third in the Aug. 5 Final. Wednesday’s win propels her back to the to of the Super Final standings with 212 points.
Aimees Image jumped into the running for a berth in the season ending $300,000 Super Final with a 2:02.1 victory in the other elimination. Leaving from the advantageous Post 1, the Balanced Image daughter trotted sharply off the gate and led to the :29.2 first quarter where driver Stephen Byron opted to let favourite Wescott take control.
Byron was content to sit on the rail as Wescott led the fillies through a :59.3 half, but after Greatest Desire trotted into the lead heading for the 1:29.2 three quarters he decided it was time to make a move and sent Aimees Image up the outside. At the head of the stretch Grand Desire was on top by a neck, but Byron and Aimees Image were kicking it into high gear and quickly drew off to the one and one-half length victory.
Local favourite Sephora picked up the second-place share of the $48,455 purse with a solid closing effort tor trainer-driver Jason Gilchrist of Spencerville and owner-breeder Dr. Frederick Albert of Prescott. Greatest Desire hung on for third, Clarice Marie was fourth and Greatest Ruby picked up the fifth and final share of the provincial pie. Once again the fan favourite finished at the rear of the pack with Wescott going from second to seventh in the final stages.
John Bax trains Aimees Image for breeders Glengate Farms of Campbellville and Kesons Stables Inc. of Cambridge. The filly was making her third start in Gold Series competition, after logging a third in the Woodbine Elimination and a sixth in the Final, and jumped in to sixth spot in the division standings with her first win.
The top four finishers from each elimination, plus one fifth-place finisher drawn by lot, will return to Rideau Carleton Raceway next Wednesday, Aug. 28 for their third shot at a Gold Final crown.