WINDSOR, ON — The first time JM Vangogh found himself in the spotlight after an Ontario Sires Stakes event was last October when he was involved in an accident that cost him the remainder of his freshman season and put his entire racing career in jeopardy. After a remarkable recovery the colt returned to the provincial circuit this spring and on Sunday evening at Windsor Raceway he found himself in the spotlight for a second time, as the winner of a $130,000 Gold Final.
Starting from Post 3, with Hall of Fame horseman Ron Waples in the race bike, JM Vangogh landed in fifth spot through the early going. Snoops Bytes fired off the starting gate from Post 1 and took the three-year-old trotting colts past a :28.4 opening quarter. When Amigo Hall started up on the outside Waples moved JM Vangogh in behind the favourite and was sitting three lengths back in fourth spot as the colts hit the :59.3 half.
With the Earl son moving well within himself after the easy early fractions, Waples opted to keep rolling and had taken a two length lead by the 1:27.3 three-quarters. At the top of the stretch the pair had increased their lead to three and a half lengths and they continued to pull away from the field with every stride, reaching the wire nine lengths on top in 1:57.2.
Elimination winner Semi Spot closed well to pick up the runner-up share, while Amigo Hall settled for third.
The time replicated JM Vangogh’s elimination winning effort and boosted his 2003 record to an impressive five wins and two thirds in eight starts.
Guelph resident Waples trains the winner of $180,836 for Paul Chambers of Harrington, DE and John Mello of Georgetown, MA and the veteran conditioner is quick to praise the work Chambers did with the colt through his rehabilitation last winter.
“After the accident I sent him back to Paul Chambers,” says Waples. “He spent a lot of time and deserves all the credit really.”
The partners acquired JM Vangogh at the 2001 New Jersey Classic Sale for the bargain basement price of $4,500 US. Even with the currency conversion, the trotter has been a better investment than any stock listed on the TSX during the past two years.
JM Vangogh will get his next opportunity to write a chapter in his fairy tale season on Aug. 9 at Flamboro Downs when the three-year-old trotting colts meet up in their third Gold Series event. Before then many of the colts will vie for national honour in the July 19 eliminations for the Canadian Breeders Championship at Woodbine Racetrack.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement returns to Windsor Raceway on Sunday, July 27 when the two-year-old trotting colts will arrive at the five-eighths oval to compete in their second Gold Series event.