LONDON, ON — A pair of locally owned freshman pacing colts delivered impressive performances in the first of two $40,000 Gold Eliminations at Western Fair Raceway on Friday evening.

Starting from the advantageous Post 1, Stonebridge Tonic and driver Doug McNair claimed early control of the first elimination and never relinquished their grip on the lead. Rolling along on the front end the pair posted a :27.3 opening quarter, a :57.2 half, and a 1:26.4 three-quarters on their way to a three length victory in 1:56.3.

To their right, at Post 2, Grin For Money made an early break that left him more than 15 lengths behind the field, closed the gap before the half and then sprinted home to claim the runner-up share of the $40,000 purse. The gritty Grinfromeartoear son is owned by Grin For Money Stable of London, the Standardbred Breeders of Ontario New Owners Group mentored by London resident Tom Brodhurst.

Third and fourth-place finishers Adrenaline and Windsong Gorgeous also advanced to next Saturday’s $130,000 Gold Final.

Winner Stonebridge Tonic was bred by Arva resident Angie Stiller and is owned by Stiller, Artana Stables of St. Thomas, Leonard Gamble of Etobicoke and trainer Gregg McNair of Guelph. Friday’s victory was a cause for celebration among the partners, who had begun to wonder if their Camluck colt would ever find the path to the winner’s circle. Through his 10 previous starts Stonebridge Tonic had earned $129,019 from four seconds and one third.

In addition to ending his dry spell, Friday’s victory also guaranteed Stonebridge Tonic a berth in the Nov. 14 Super Final, worth a lucrative $300,000.

BP Chimo also secured a spot in the post season with his 1:56 score in the second elimination. With Phil Hudon in the race bike, the Grinfromeartoear son landed in second spot on the rail from Post 1 and tailed early leader Tigers Mattjesty through fractions of :27.3 and :57.2. As Keystone Raptor powered up the outside to the lead heading for the 1:26 three-quarters, Hudon sent BP Chimo to the outside and the fan favourites sprinted down the stretch to a one and a half length victory.

Keystone Raptor settled for second, Brusiers Brother was nine and a half lengths to the rear in third and Future Million was ten and one-quarter lengths back in fourth.

Friday’s triumph was BP Chimo’s second Gold Elimination victory in two appearances. James Barton trains the youngster for Elizabeth Thompson of Branchton, ON and Anne O’Keefe of Ferryland, NL and has sent BP Chimo behind the gate nine times this season, resulting in three wins and one third for earnings of $73,900.

With reigning Gold Final champion Haul Away scratched from Friday night’s contest due to sickness, the two-year-old pacing colt division will crown a new king at Western Fair Raceway next Saturday, Nov. 7. The colts will line up behind the starting gate as follows:

Post 1 Brusiers Brother

Post 2 Adrenaline

Post 3 Windsong Gorgeous

Post 4 Stonebridge Tonic

Post 5 Future Million

Post 6 BP Chimo

Post 7 Grin For Money

Post 8 Keystone Raptor

Also Eligible 1 Tigers Mattjesty

Also Eligible 2 Code Word

Also Eligible 3 Sonic Seelster

For complete results please go to: http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/racing/results/data/r1030lonn.dat.