GLOUCESTER, ON — Freshman pacing colt Isle Of Patmos became the second horse to set an Ontario Sires Stakes record at Rideau Carleton Raceway this season when he scorched around the five-eighths mile oval in 1:52.3 on Friday evening.
Leaving from Post 5 the Astreos son powered away from the starting gate and was two lengths ahead of the field at the :27.4 opening quarter. Driver Luc Ouellette eased the pace slightly in the second quarter to reach the half in :56.3, accelerated to a 1:24.1 three-quarters and then blew the doors off down the stretch to reach the wire four and half lengths on top in the record setting 1:52.3.
The mile peeled one-fifth of a second off the former Ontario Sires Stakes standard for two-year-old pacing colts on a five-eighths mile track, set by Pacific Titan at Windsor Raceway in 2001.
Astronomical, who was sent off as co-favourite with Isle Of Patmos, earned the runner-up position and Armbro Chivalry was two more lengths back in third. Reigning Gold Final champion Lincoln Parke picked up the fourth-place finisher’s share and Silent Swing rounded out the top five.
The win was Isle Of Patmos’ fourth of the season and boosted his earnings to $179,566 through nine starts. A $100,000 US purchase at last fall’s Harrisburg Yearling Sale, the colt has proven to be a wise investment for owners David Scharf of New York, NY, Jerry Silva of Bellmore, NY, Sampson Street Stables of Old Forge, PA and Peter Heffering of Port Perry, ON. Mark Capone trains the talented youngster.
Ouellette also captured the first elimination, driving another son of Astreos to a three and one-half length victory in 1:55. Fan favourite Make May Day took control of the race heading for the :28.3 opening quarter and never needed to glance back, sailing through fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.1 on the way to his third win of the season.
Peter Heffering also owns a share of Make My Day, along with partners Dr. Michael Wilson of Rockwood, Banjo Farms of Toronto and WCB Racing Stable of Bordentown, NJ. Duane Marfisi trains the colt, who went into Friday’s Gold Elimination off a 1:52 front end victory in an overnight event at Woodbine Racetrack.
Rigio Hanover earned the second-place finisher’s share of the $56,102 purse, while Pacific Admiral paced under the wire six lengths behind the leader in third. Tobruk and Fastest Rustler, owned by Paul Barkley of Morrisburg, rounded out the finishers in the sixth race, which had no show wagering due to the small field.
The top four finishers from each elimination, plus one fifth-place finisher chosen by random draw, will return to Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday, Nov. 4 for the last $100,000 Gold Final of their freshman campaign.