WINDSOR, ON — Local favourite In Conchnito scored an impressive 1:59.3 victory in his Gold Series Elimination at Windsor Raceway on Sunday evening.
The two-year-old trotting colt delivered a performance that a veteran racehorse would be proud of, starting from Post 7 and driving up the outside through the entire race before pulling away to the one and a half length victory over pacesetter Odee Scoot and Shipps Cruiser.
Robert McIntosh of La Salle trains the talented son of King Conch for his partners Dave Boyle of Bowmanville and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The win was the young trotter’s second and shaved two and two-fifths of a second off his personal best time. Veteran reinsman Steve Condren was in the race bike for both victories and a fourth-place finish in the July 2 Gold Elimination at Flamboro Downs where In Conchnito recovered from interference at the three-quarter pole to finish fourth.
Tyrone Burberry, McIntosh’s other entry in the four Gold Eliminations, finished second to favourite Eilean Donon in a 2:01.2 mile in the eleventh race. Eilean Donon and driver Tom Strauss employed front end tactics to score the one and half length victory for Steve Stewart of Paris, KY, Joseph Taylor of Lexington, KY and Benjamin Taylor of Nicholasville, KY.
Trained by Brad Maxwell, Eilean Donon has a perfect record in provincial action. In addition to Sunday evening’s Gold Elimination win, he also captured a Grassroots event at Kawartha Downs on July 10.
Angus Scot rounded out the top three in Race 11.
Roger Mayotte also used front end tactics to secure a victory for Lucky George in the ninth race. Leaving from Post 1, the colt shot directly to the front and rolled through fractions of :28.2, 1:00 and 1:30.4 en route to a half length victory over favourite, and reigning Gold Final champ, How Is That Fair and Darkon Crown.
Shane Acton trains Lucky George for numbered company 874301 Ontario Limited of Scotland. The 2:00.1 win was the Angus Hall son’s first. He finished second in his July 2 Gold Elimination and fourth in the Final after making an unfortunate break at the three-quarter pole while driving for the lead.
The other elimination went to first time starter Savannah Sirius, who scored an impressive five length victory over Beardmore and Laughton Hanover, stopping the clock at 2:00.2.
Leaving from Post 1, driver Doug Brown eased the Incredible Abe son off the gate, landing in sixth heading into the first turn. As favourite Wake Up And Drive reeled off fractions of :29 and 1:01, Brown and Savannah Sirius began to pick off horses and by the 1:31 three-quarters the pair had captured the lead by a margin of two lengths. A :29.2 final quarter cemented the deal and Savannah Sirius earned his first pay cheque for breeder, owner and trainer Bill Van Katwyk of Peterborough.
The top two finishers from each elimination, plus one third-place finisher drawn by lot, will return to Windsor Raceway next Sunday, Aug. 3 for their shot at the $130,000 Gold Final.