ELORA, ON — Keystone Titan has been flawless since the moment he stepped on the track for his first qualifier, and the two-year-old trotting colt maintained his winning record with a track record equalling Gold Final victory at Grand River Raceway on Monday night.
Leaving from Post 3, Keystone Titan allowed Sergeant York a brief share of the lead before taking control of the race just past the :29.1 opening quarter. With �Mr OSS’ Dave Wall at the reins, the Mr Lavec son sailed through a 1:00 half and 1:30.3 three-quarters sitting two lengths ahead of his nearest rival.
Although Mr Mission made a valiant attempt to reel in the pacesetter through the stretch, Keystone Titan cruised under the wire one length on top in 2:01, equalling the track record set by Ernie B Ernest last summer. Elimination winner Mr Mission finished second and Sergeant York was three more lengths back in third.
John Kopas trains Keystone Titan for breeders Alice Kopas of Ilderton and George Hempt of Camp Hill, PA. Before capturing his Gold Elimination last week with a commanding 2:02.3 performance, the colt won three qualifiers — May 31 at Pocono Downs, PA, and June 15 and July 6 at Mohawk Racetrack.
After just two starts Keystone Titan has banked $79,224 for his owners, and established himself as the two-year-old trotting colt to beat heading into the second Gold Series, which gets under way on Aug. 2 at Mohawk Racetrack.
Grand River Raceway’s month-long showcase of talented Ontario-sired performers continues next Monday, July 30 with Gold Elimination action for the two-year-old pacing fillies. The freshman pacing fillies opened their provincial season with a 1:52.4 mile at Mohawk Racetrack, just one-fifth of a second off the Ontario Sires Stakes track record.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rgrvrmo.html#N9