GLOUCESTER, ON — On Sunday evening at Rideau Carleton Raceway Orion King completed an extreme make-over — from Grassroots runner-up to Gold Final victor in less than five weeks.

The King Conch son got a drive from veteran Tony Kerwood that could not have been more flawless if it had been scripted by reality television mogul Mark Burnett. Leaving from Post 5 in the $130,000 Gold Final, Kerwood urged Orion King off the starting gate and landed on the rail in second behind Reserved Image.

Reserved Image was quickly relegated to second by fan favourite and track record holder Brancaleone, moving Orion King back to third where he sat through fractions of :28.2, :58 and 1:26.4. Heading toward the three-quarter marker Kerwood sent Orion King to the outside, but the gelding did not make up any ground until the leaders straightened out for home.

Four lengths back at the top of the stretch, Orion King responded to Kerwood’s request for an additional gear with an impressive finishing kick that propelled him past the leaders and under the wire one and a half lengths on top in 1:57. Brancaleone stayed game for second, while Smooth Moves closed like a rocket to claim the third-place share of the $130,000 Gold Final purse.

Rocco D’Incognito trains Orion King for Alan Dixon of Mississauga and Frank D’Incognito of Sutton West. The partners acquired the gelding for $5,000 at the 2003 Northern Standardbred Sale and have now banked $113,665 on his behalf through two seasons of racing.

In addition to the excitement provided by Orion King and his peers, Rideau Carleton Raceway fans were treated to three Gold Series Eliminations for the two-year-old pacing fillies, with fan favourite Stonebridge Prima recording the fastest win of the three divisions in Race 6.

In rein to Chris Christoforou, Stonebridge Prima wasted no time taking command of the race and sailed home one length on top in 1:57.4. Monte Carlo Madam and Sun N Sand, owned by trainer Mark Steacy of Lansdowne, David Reid of Glenburnie, Malcolm Man Son Hing of Nepean and George Judson of Athens, rounded out the top three.

Nat Varty trains Stonebridge Prima for Black Horse Racing of Lebanon, NJ and Perretti Racing Stable LLC of Cream Ridge, NJ. The partners offered up $110,000 for the impeccably bred daughter of Camluck and Fran Seelster at last fall’s Forest City Yearling Sale.

While Stonebridge Prima was making her racing debut in the Ottawa Gold event, Draconian Promise scored her second Gold Elimination win with a 1:58.1 performance in Race 2. The Rustler Hanover daughter and driver Lyle MacArthur controlled the pace throughout the mile, cruising under the wire three-quarters of a length in front of Irish Eyes and Even Now.

Trained by Patrick Keetch for Hamilton residents Cully Keetch and Lawrence Simon, Draconian Promise was a $4,500 yearling acquisition and has earned $43,932 through her first three starts.

The other elimination went to Roger Mayotte and Vintage Wine, who also opted for front end tactics. A Grassroots winner in the July 10 event at Flamboro Downs, Vintage Wine displayed some determination when she held off To Helen Back and Firiel Hanover to score the quarter length victory in 1:58.2. Millar Farms of Newmarket bred and owns the daughter of Astreos and $260,829 winner Catch A Wish.

The top three finishers from the elimination round will return to Rideau Carleton Raceway next Sunday, July 24 to compete in their $130,000 Gold Final. Post positions for next Sunday’s Final are as follows:

Post 1 Draconian Promise

Post 2 Irish Eyes

Post 3 Firiel Hanover

Post 4 To Helen Back

Post 5 Monte Carlo Madam

Post 6 Stonebridge Prima

Post 7 Sun N Sand

Post 8 Even Now

Post 9 Vintage Wine

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