CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Lexis Noah made his first-ever appearance in a Gold Final on Monday evening at Mohawk Racetrack and the three-year-old trotter enjoyed a hearty dose of beginner’s luck as he sprinted home to a head victory in 1:55.3.
Lexis Noah finished third in last week’s Gold Elimination at Mohawk — his best ever result in seven elimination starts over the last two seasons — and was sent off as a mild second choice on Monday night behind heavy favourite Text Me. Starting from Post 6, driver Jack Moiseyev eased the gelding off the starting gate and settled him in eighth as Text Me and Windsong Geant battled to a :13 opening eighth.
Windsong Geant enjoyed a brief sojourn at the front of the 10 horse field, but Randy Waples was not content with the view from second and sent Text Me back to the lead just after the :27.1 quarter. As Text Me sat comfortably on the front through a :56.1 half and a 1:25.3 three-quarters, Arriba Amigo was leading a parade of colts up the outside, followed closely by Lexis Noah.
Arriba Amigo drew within two lengths of Text Me, but could advance no further, so Moiseyev sent Lexis Noah out three-wide as the colt swept off the final turn. Text Me battled hard along the rail, but Lexis Noah swept down the stretch and stuck a head in front at the wire to score his first ever Ontario Sires Stakes victory in a clocking of 1:55.3.
Zorgwijk Kingpin closed from ninth at the top of the stretch to grab the third-place finisher’s share of the $130,000 purse, followed closely by Oh No Three O. Early pacesetter Windsong Geant rounded out the cheque earners in fifth.
Moffat, ON resident Moiseyev engineered the victory for Norm Dunstan of Caledon Village, ON. Dunstan bred, owns and trains Lexis Noah, who has amassed a sophomore record of six wins, three seconds and two thirds in 18 starts. Monday’s triumph boosted the Malabar Maple son’s earnings to $133,760.
Lexis Noah has been sharp in recent weeks, recording his 1:54.1 personal best in an Aug. 27 overnight at Mohawk Racetrack. Since making a break in his Aug. 8 Gold Elimination at Flamboro Downs the gelding has not finished worse than fourth.
In addition to boosting his bank roll and adding a trophy to Dunstan’s mantel, Lexis Noah’s Gold Final victory also earned him some much needed points in the race for one of 10 spots in the season ending Super Final. Heading into Monday’s contest the gelding was sitting just below the cut off for the $300,000 Super Final, but heading toward the last Gold Series of the season he sits in seventh spot with 70 points.
The three-year-old trotting colts make their last Gold Series stop at Kawartha Downs, with the Gold Eliminations going postward on Oct. 26 and the Gold Final taking place on Nov. 2.
Ontario Sires Stakes excitement continues at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday, Oct. 9 as the Campbellville oval hosts the second last $130,000 Gold Final for the two-year-old pacing colts. Post time for Saturday evening’s program is 7:30 pm.
For complete results click: Mohawk Racetrack Results — Oct. 4, 2010