WINDSOR, ON — Los Angeles captured her first Gold Final at Windsor Raceway on Wednesday night, hitting the wire one-fifth of a second shy of the two-year-old pacing filly track record shared by Ontario Sires Stakes superstars Odies Fame and Precious Delight.
A And Gs Rockette started off the rapid mile with a :27.2 quarter, but was overtaken by Taylor Lynne well before the :56.1 half. Sitting fourth through the early stages of the race, driver Chris Christoforou opted to send Los Angeles after the lead as the fillies swept by the halfway marker and the Camluck daughter responded effortlessly, reaching the 1:24.2 three-quarters with a one and one-quarter length lead.
Heading down the stretch Christoforou put Los Angeles on cruise control and the filly coasted to the two length victory in a very impressive 1:53.4, taking almost two seconds off the 1:55.2 personal best she posted in last week’s elimination round.
Taylor Lynne stayed game for second while Invitro, making her Gold Final debut, delivered an impressive come-from-behind effort to finish a half length back in third.
Trainer Robert McIntosh of La Salle shares ownership on Los Angeles with Al McIntosh of Leamington and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The trio forked over $115,000 at last fall’s Kentucky Standardbred Yearling Sale to acquire the filly, who has already returned $137,782 CDN in just five starts.
Windsor Raceway fans were suitably impressed with Los Angeles’ elimination win to send her off as their top choice. She returned $3.60 to win, $2.50 to place and $2.10 on a show wager. Second-choice, and another elimination winner, Taylor Lynne paid $3.00 to place and $2.90 to show, while fifth-choice Invitro returned $3.70 to show. The exactor was worth $9.50 and the triactor returned just $53.20.
McIntosh’s other starter, Special Magic, failed to get into the race from Post 8 and finished ninth. Blue Alert, owned by Regil Investments of Amherstburg, finished her Gold Final debut in seventh.
The talented freshman pacing fillies now enjoy a six week break from Ontario Sires Stakes action, resuming their rivalry on Sept. 19 at Flamboro Downs. Windsor Raceway fans also get a break from the excitement of the provincial program until the two-year-old trotting fillies roll into town for Gold Elimination action on Sunday, Sept. 21.