CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Reigning Gold Final champion Keystone Horatio extended his win streak to three at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening, and paced into the Ontario Sires Stakes record books with an outstanding 1:51 victory in the first of two $55,156 Gold Eliminations.

Lennon Blue Chip took the field of eight to the quarter in :27, but after that the story of the first Gold Elimination was written entirely by Keystone Horatio and driver Randy Waples of Milton. The pair powered by Lennon Blue Chip to a :54.4 half, sailed to a 1:23 three-quarters and maintained their momentum down the stretch to lower the longest standing Ontario Sires Stakes record over a seven-eighths mile oval.

Keystone Horatio’s 1:51 mile shaved three-fifths of a second off the former Ontario Sires Stakes record, set first by The Big Dog in 1996 and matched by Pacific Titan in 2001.

Lennon Blue Chip earned the second-place finisher’s share with a classic pocket trip, while The Mohegan Pan came first up to claim the third spot. Also advancing to the Oct. 15 Gold Final were fourth and fifth-place finishers The Life Boat and Lucky Man.

Trained by Campbellville resident John Kopas, Keystone Horatio is owned by breeder George Hempt of Camp Hill, PA. The son of Rustler Hanover and Keystone Havoc has made five trips to the winner’s circle in 10 starts, including the Sept. 30 Gold Final at Rideau Carleton Raceway, a division of the Nassagaweya Stake at Mohawk on Sept. 15, a Gold Elimination at Flamboro Downs on Aug. 12, and his Battle Of Waterloo elimination at Grand River Raceway on July 30.

The consistent young pacer has never failed to collect a cheque in his 10 starts, banking $329,171.

In the second elimination, Deuce Seelster extended his Gold Series unbeaten streak to five with a 1:53 score. With Guelph resident Paul MacDonell back in the race bike, the son of Western Maverick and Demi Seelster landed in fourth from Post 2 as Whitesand Macgyver sprinted to a :26.3 opening quarter. Believeinbruiser took control of the pace heading for the :55.3 half, and was still on top when MacDonell tipped Deuce Seelster to the outside at the 1:24.4 three-quarters.

A :27.4 final quarter easily propelled Deuce Seelster to the two and three-quarter length victory over a hard closing Dougs Fame and Believeinbruiser. Fun Of The Game and Go West Young Cam rounded out the top five in the second elimination.

Monday’s victory pushed Deuce Seelster’s impressive freshman record to seven wins and one second in nine starts. The only losses the colt has suffered came at the hands of the undefeated Somebeachsomewhere in the Metro Pace final and a division of the Nassagaweya Stakes.

Darren McCall of Cambridge trains the talented youngster, who has banked $336,923 for owner Katherine Bardis of Sacramento, CA.

Keystone Horatio and Deuce Seelster will line up side-by-side at Posts 6 and 7 in next Monday’s $130,000 Gold Final at Woodbine Racetrack. The complete line up for the Oct. 15 skirmish is as follows:

Post 1 The Life Boat

Post 2 Dougs Fame

Post 3 Believeinbruiser

Post 4 The Mohegan Pan

Post 5 Go West Young Cam

Post 6 Keystone Horatio

Post 7 Deuce Seelster

Post 8 Lennon Blue Chip

Post 9 Lucky Man

Post 10 Fun Of The Game

Also Eligible 1 Romantic Thriller

Also Eligible 2 Cameo

Also Eligible 3 Whitesand Macgyver

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rmohsmo.html