ELORA, ON — Grand River Raceway fans were treated to three bonus races on Sunday evening as the two-year-old trotting and pacing fillies returned to the Elora oval to compete in the Gold Series divisions that were cancelled due to extreme weather on Friday.
The trotting lasses got things off to a rousing start with a tight finish that resulted in a track and Ontario Sires Stakes record. Pocketsitters Jack Moiseyev and Miss Aultsville reeled in pacesetters Paul MacDonell and Margie at the wire to score a nose victory in a record setting 1:59.2. The mile shaved one-fifth of a second off the former OSS standard set by Burminghim (2005) and Charmed Life (2012) at Flamboro Downs.
The win was the second straight and first in Ontario Sires Stakes action for Kadabra filly Miss Aultsville, who is owned by trainer John Kopas of Milton, Old Aultsville Stable of Mississauga, and Pealer Pen of Camp Hill, PA. The win puts the filly in third spot in the point standings heading for the Sept. 28 Super Final with one win, three seconds and one fifth in five Gold Series starts.
The other two divisions, one pacing and one trotting, were swept by trainer Gregg McNair and his son Doug McNair of Guelph. In the pacing split Doug McNair put Battle of the Belles champion Lady Shadow on top heading for the half and the gifted youngster cruised home a six length winner in 1:56.2. Early leader Goldies Mach finished second, one length ahead of Jokes Jet.
Gregg McNair conditions Lady Shadow, who boasts a freshman record of five wins in seven starts, for Lindsey and Connie Rankin of Lexington, MI. The win boosted the Shadow Play daughter into top spot in the freshman pacing filly standings with 101 points from two wins, one fifth and one eighth in four starts.
In the trotting filly division McNair trainee Luck Is All Ineed was equally impressive, controlling all the fractions en route to a three length 2:02.2 score. Nickange Two recovered from a break to finish second and Torches Star rounded out the top three.
McNair and Thomas Harmer of Willowbrook, IL share ownership of Luck Is All Ineed, who also heads into the Super Final at the top of the point standings. The Muscle Mass daughter scored two wins, two seconds and one fifth in five Gold Series appearances.
The top 10 point earners from each division will advance to the Sept. 28 Super Finals.
Sunday’s rescheduled events marked the end of Grand River Raceway’s Ontario Sires Stakes season, which saw the province’s top trotters and pacers rewrite five of the Elora oval’s track records.
For complete results please go to Grand River Raceway Results