GLOUCESTER, ON — Almost one month after they became partners on two-year-old pacing filly Northern Harmony, Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, the Domiano’s of Sampson Street Stables in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, Don Bray of Newcastle and Angelo Dinardo of Etobicoke, have yet to meet face-to-face.
The group was formed in late June when trainer Murray Brethour of Sunderland and Murray Shapley of Richmond Hill decided to offer their shares in the two-year-old pacing filly to Tucker and Sampson Street Stables while Bray and Dinardo opted to hold on to theirs. The filly moved from Brethour’s barn to the Hagersville operation of Bill Robinson and has since steamrolled her way through the two-year-old pacing filly division, capturing two Gold Eliminations and a Gold Final.
Heading into Saturday night’s Gold Final at Rideau Carleton Raceway, the filly boasts a record of four wins in four starts and she and driver Ted McDonald will be hunting for her fifth straight win from Post 8 in the eight-horse field.
“Everybody got lucky all around,” says Bray. “This is much more than we expected. You always hope for a the best, but when it hits you… Yahoo, and all that!”
Bray acquired a share of Northern Harmony last fall after Murray Brethour purchased her for $22,000 at the Forest City Sale last fall and then proceeded to convince his friend Dinardo to purchase a piece of the Run The Table Daughter. Dinardo finally agreed and Bray says the Etobicoke resident is having more fun than he ever thought possible.
“He’s having the time of his life. He’s the first-time horse owner and he hit the jackpot right off the bat,” says Bray. “He didn’t have to suffer like the rest of us.”
Northern Harmony will be handicapped on Friday night with Post 8, but the versatile young pacer has already proved she can win from an inside or outside post, off a trip up the rail or a long haul up the outside.
“She won from an outside post before, but this is tougher competition for her,” says the long time horse owner, who will make the trip with Dinardo to Ottawa for the $130,000 main event on Friday.
Among the youngsters looking to halt Northern Harmony’s win streak at four are a pair from the John Kopas Stable. The Patriot finished second to Northern Harmony in last week’s Elimination and third in the July 8 Gold Final at Woodbine Racetrack. The Albert Albert filly will start from Post 1 this week, a significant improvement on last week’s Post 8, and she and driver Keith Oliver will be hoping that is enough to tip the odds in their favour. Indecorum will start from Post 5 and the Rustler Hanover daughter will be attempting to make amends for the early break in stride she made in the Elimination.
Glengate Farms of Campbellville and Suvretta Stables of Toronto own The Patriot and Suvretta Stables partners with Clay Harland Horner of Toronto and George Hempt of Camp Hill, PA on Indecorum.
Both fillies will take their run at Northern Harmony in Race 10 on Rideau Carleton Raceway’s 6:30 pm program Friday evening.