WINDSOR, ON — Los Angeles scored the fastest win of four Gold Series Eliminations at Windsor Raceway on Wednesday evening, stopping the clock in a smart 1:55.2.
The Robert McIntosh trainee took control of he ninth race just past the quarter pole and set the tempo for the remainder of the mile, cruising under the wire one and three-quarter lengths ahead of Cohenikova and Ramblin Tina, owned by Regil Investments of Amherstburg.
After her runner-up performance in the season opening Gold Final, Windsor fans made the Camluck filly and driver Chris Christoforou their heavy favourites and they returned just $2.80 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Second choice Cohenikova paid $4.90 and $3.40 to fans holding place or show vouchers and the fans’ fifth choice, Ramblin Tina, returned $5.30 for her third-place effort. Pairing the two favourites in an exactor earned you just $5.70 and adding Ramblin Tina to the mix boosted the triactor to a mere $35.80.
La Salle resident McIntosh shares ownership on Los Angeles with Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The partners paid a hearty $115,000 US for the filly at last fall’s Kentucky Standardbred Yearling Sale, but she has already earned $72,782 in just four starts.
Reigning Gold Final champion Taylor Lynne scored her third straight victory in the sixth race. The Fit For Life daughter got a picture perfect steer from Jody Jamieson, who allowed Kevin Wallis and A And Gs Rockette to roll out fractions of :27, :57.4 and 1:27 before popping Taylor Lynne out of the pocket and accelerating down the stretch to the 1:55.3 win.
A And Gs Rockette finished one and a quarter lengths back in second while Regil Investments’ second entry Blue Alert hit the finish line in third, five lengths behind the winner.
Carl Jamieson of Princeton trains Taylor Lynne, a $15,500 yearling who has already banked $120,343, for his partners Jerry Jamieson of Blenheim, Gerald Rattray of Hamilton and Arthur Slack of Cumbria, England.
Double Creme, who captured the season opening Gold Final with an impressive come-from-behind effort used similar tactics to score a victory in the first Gold Elimination. Driver Randy Waples settled the Albert Albert daughter in fourth through the early going, waiting until the fillies were heading to the three-quarters to start a drive to the front. Pacesetter Venus Killean put up a valiant fight, but Double Creme prevailed down the stretch to record the 1:55.4 victory by three-quarters of a length.
Invitro and Chrome Hearts rounded out the top three.
Nanny Stables, Thomas Costanzo, Jr. and Joseph Fischetti of Staten Island, NY and TLP Stable of Kearny, NJ own Double Creme, entrusting her care during the Ontario Sires Stakes season to O’Brien award winning trainer Bill Robinson of Hagersville. Another bargain basement yearling at just $6,500 US, Double Creme pushed her earnings to $104,279 with Wednesday’s victory.
The other elimination went to first time Gold starter In Concert with a come-from-behind effort that landed her the 1:56.3 victory by a a length and a quarter over McIntosh trainee Special Magic and Cool Grin.
Mike Saftic drove the talented Island Fantasy daughter, who is trained by Garth Gordon for Emerald Highlands Farm of Mount Vernon, OH. In Concert made her debut in the Ontario Sires Stakes program on July 19 at Kawartha Downs, capturing a Grassroots division in 1:58.1.
The top two fillies from each elimination, plus one third-place finisher drawn by lot, will return to Windsor Raceway next Wednesday, Aug. 6 for their third shot at a $130,000 Gold Final.