TORONTO, ON — Modern Connection maintained her flawless record in Ontario Sires Stakes action with an effortless one and three-quarter length Gold Final victory at Woodbine Racetrack on Friday evening.

With Mark MacDonald in the race bike for the second week, Modern Connection eased away from the starting gate and dropped into sixth spot on the rail. The scuffle for the early lead came from the fillies on the outer wing of the gate with Stonebridge Damsel winning the battle from Post 9 and ringing up a :13.1 opening eighth. Gold Elimination winner Imagine Semalu, who started from Post 7, found no room on the rail so powered around the first turn and onto the front end before the :27.2 quarter.

As Imagine Semalu and driver Mario Baillargeon reached the halfway marker in :56.2, there were stirrings of activity from the middle of the pack. Driver Steve Condren opted not to wait any longer to move two-time Gold Final winner Lauren into position on the outside, and he was quickly followed by a delighted MacDonald and Modern Connection. Lyons Puddin Pie and Lady Jill also shifted into the outer lane, so the field traveled by the 1:25.3 three-quarters as a compact bunch.

Imagine Semalu fought the good fight along the rail, but Lauren reeled her in halfway down the stretch, and then had to turn her attention to a looming Modern Connection. MacDonald waited until Lauren was engaged in battle with Imagine Semalu to move Modern Connection to the outside, but when the fan favourite found a clear road to travel she effortlessly reeled in her rival and sailed home a one and three-quarter length victor in 1:54.

Lauren picked up a well earned second-place cheque for her efforts, with Lady Jill closing like a rocket from the back of the pack to nab third-place honours for owners Banjo Farms of Toronto, ON. Imagine Semalu and Shipps Xanadu, owned by Harold G. Shipp Stable of Mississauga, ON, completed the top five.

Modern Connection now boasts a record of four wins in four Gold Series starts for a total of 200 points, good enough for second spot in the standings, 125 points behind runaway leader Lauren. The Modern Art daughters will face off for a third and final time in the Nov. 13 Super Final at Woodbine.

Joe Seekman trains Modern Connection for breeders Yousif S. Yousif of Chesterfield, MI and Ameer Najor of Detroit, MI. Through 11 starts the talented young pacer has tallied five wins, two seconds and one third for earnings of $297,797. In addition to her Gold Series victories the filly posted a neck decision in her Champlain Stakes division at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 11.

Modern Connection and Lauren will be joined in the Super Final by eight other top point earners from the five regular season Gold Series events. All 10 fillies will be aiming for the lion’s share of the $300,000 Super Final purse and the two-year-old pacing filly division title. Woodbine Racetrack hosts the $2.4 million Super Final night on Nov. 13.

For complete results click: Woodbine Racetrack Results — Oct. 22, 2010