DUNDAS, ON — Last year’s division champion Beer Budget picked up his first win of the sophomore campaign at Flamboro Downs on Friday evening, circling the Dundas oval in 1:57.4 to earn a Gold Elimination trophy and a berth in next weekend’s final.

With regular reinsman Luc Ouellette in the race bike, fan favourite Beer Budget started from Post 1 and landed the pocket trip behind pacesetter Claudius Augustus. Beer Budget stayed tight on the leader’s heels as Claudius Augustus posted a :27.4 opening quarter and :58.2 third-quarter, stayed patient as Celtic Warrior mounted a challenge going by the 1:28 three-quarters, and then fired up the stretch to score a nose victory in a thrilling finish that saw the top three colts separated by a short head.

Claudius Augustus stayed game for second, holding off a hard charging Super Chuck by a head, and Chelemark Porter delivered a sharp finishing kick to claim fourth and the final spot in the Aug. 19 Gold Final.

Trainer Christopher Beaver of Rockwood and his mother Johanna Beaver of Delaware, OH share ownership on Beer Budget, who had recorded three seconds and one third in nine starts heading into Friday’s contest. The consistent son of Yankee Paco and Too Good For You was a four time winner last season, with his most important victory coming in the season ending Super Final.

The second elimination saw the colt who finished behind Beer Budget in the freshman earnings race pick up his first win of the season. Employing the same stalking strategy from Post 1, Australian Stock and trainer-driver Jimmy Takter followed The Mad Duke through fractions of :28, :58.2 and 1:27.4 and then out-muscled the leader down the stretch to score a one length victory in 1:58.

Hoopie closed from fifth at the top of the stretch to be second, The Mad Duke settled for third and favoured Snazzy Hot Rod survived a trip around the outside to finish fourth and earn a berth in the Gold Final.

Takter trains Australian Stock for breeder Charalambos Christoforou of Campbellville, Banjo Farms of Toronto and Alvin Stein of Ottawa. The son of Angus Hall and Katya Hanover was a two-time Gold Final winner at two, but has struggled this season. Prior to Friday’s victory his best finish through six starts was a third earned when he was interfered with in the Canadian Breeders Championship elimination.

The top four colts will return to Flamboro Downs on Aug. 19 to compete in the third Gold Final of their season and warm up the crowd for the highly anticipated Confederation Cup. Post positions for the $130,000 Gold Final are as follows:

Post 1 Beer Budget

Post 2 Claudius Augustus

Post 3 Chelemark Porter

Post 4 Hoopie

Post 5 Super Chuck

Post 6 Snazzy Hot Rod

Post 7 The Mad Duke

Post 8 Australian Stock

Also Eligible 1 Guilford

Also Eligible 2 Meadowview Matty

For complete results please go to:

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