DUNDAS, ON — Northern Harmony returned to her winning ways on Friday night at Flamboro Downs, scoring the fastest of three Gold Series Elimination wins.
The Run The Table daughter led from wire-to-wire, stopping the clock in 1:56.2, to score her fifth win and make up for the loss in last weekend’s Gold Final at Rideau Carleton Raceway. Please Me Please pressured the division leader through the final quarter but Northern Harmony and driver Randy Waples kicked into overdrive going down the stretch and finished one and a quarter lengths ahead of the challenger. Tribute To Heroes finished three lengths back in third spot.
Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, Sampson Street Stables of Old Forge, PA, Don Bray of Newcastle and Angelo Dinardo of Etobicoke share ownership on Northern Harmony, who has already banked $160,310 in her six lifetime starts.
Newcomer Jasper Avenue logged the second fastest mile of the Gold Eliminations, hitting the wire in 1:56.3 to steal the win from favourite and pacesetter Shami Cami. The win was the Village Jasper daughter’s second straight in provincial action. She scored a 1:57 Grassroots win on July 20 at Georgian Downs in her racing debut.
Carl Jamieson trains the talented Jasper Avenue for breeder William Loyens of London and Jody Jamieson piloted the filly to the win over Shami Cami and long shot Twin B Goddess.
Reigning Gold Final champions The Patriot and Keith Oliver did not disappoint their fans, delivering a leisurely 1:57.1 victory off a front end tour of the Flamboro Downs half-mile oval. Oliver and the Albert Albert lass never saw a challenge and finished one and a half lengths ahead of Town Jiffy, with Pat Me Up rounding out the top three.
Breeders Glengate Farms of Campbellville share ownership on The Patriot with Suvretta Stables of Toronto and Campbellville resident John Kopas handles her daily conditioning.
The top three finishers from each Gold Elimination will return to Flamboro Downs next Friday, Aug. 9 for the third of five Gold Finals on their schedule this summer. Fans will be looking forward to the rematch against July 26 Gold champion The Patriot and Northern Harmony, who captured the season opening Gold Final at Woodbine Racetrack on July 8.