CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Pure Ivory delivered another impressive performance Tuesday evening at Mohawk Racetrack to extend her unbeaten streak to four and claim her first Gold Elimination trophy.

Undaunted by Post 8, the two-year-old trotting simply cruised off the starting gate into fourth spot on the rail. Still fourth as the field swept by the halfway marker, driver Steve Condren finally moved her to the outside on their way past the three-quarter pole and Pure Ivory sailed straight to the front. By the time she turned for home there was a one and three-quarter length gap between Pure Ivory and her peers and she added another length for good measure down the stretch, to hit the wire in 1:58.4.

Pure Ivory led a Striking Sahbra sweep of the top three spots in the first of four Gold Eliminations, with Corrie’s Glory and Patsy’s Point earning the second and third-place share of the $26,581 purse.

Milton resident Condren shares ownership on Pure Ivory with Jerry Vanboekel of Bright and breeder Harry Rutherford of Mount Pleasant. The daughter of former Ontario Sires Stakes star Image Control, Pure Ivory is trained by Ayr resident Brad Maxwell.

In the second elimination Oaklea Opal matched Pure Ivory’s 1:58.4 clocking with a narrow victory over Sophie Soleil and Oaklea Odessa. With Luc Ouellette in the race bike, Oaklea Opal took full advantage of Post 1 and led the fillies through all stations. Heading down the stretch Sophie Soleil had the Mr Lavec daughter in her sights, but Oaklea Opal dug in to earn her first victory in just her second lifetime start.

Guelph resident Duane Marfisi trains Oaklea Opal for Alan Alber of Thornhill and Allan Carr of North York. The filly made her debut in the Robert Stewart Stake at Mohawk last week, but made an early break and finished well behind the leaders in seventh.

Also making her first appearance in the winner’s circle in her second lifetime start was Geisha Hall, who had to overcome Post 9 to score the three-quarter length victory over heavy favourite Birminghim and Oaklea Omega. Another daughter of Striking Sahbra, Geisha Hall made her debut in the July 5 Gold Eliminations at Mohawk where she finished fourth.

Tuesday Jack Moiseyev zipped the Robert McIntosh trainee off the gate and settled her in third, where they sat until the field straightened out for home. When Moiseyev asked Geisha Hall for another gear the filly responded with an impressive burst of speed that propelled her down the stretch to the 1:59.4 victory.

McIntosh shares ownership on Geisha Hall with breeders Walnut Hall Limited of Lexington, KY and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. The LaSalle resident purchased the filly, whose mother is a full sister to top Ontario Sires Stakes sire Angus Hall, for $130,000 at last fall’s Tattersalls Yearling Sale.

The final elimination went to a filly who is no stranger to the Gold Elimination winner’s circle. Former Gold Elimination and Final winner Lisa’s Mission breezed around the Mohawk oval on the front end without seeing her competition. At the top of the stretch she was five lengths in front and at the 1:59.1 finish Highnmighty and Helens Melons were six and three-quarter lengths to the rear.

Regular reinsman Mike Saftic piloted the Mr Lavec daughter to her third win in five starts this season on behalf of trainer Adrian Hickey and owner Lisa Heyden of Midhurst. The full sister to former Ontario Sires Stakes star Corina’s Mission will attempt to add a second Gold Final win to her resume in next Monday’s $130,000 contest.

Post positions for the Aug. 29 Gold Final at Mohawk Racetrack are as follows:

Post 1 Birminghim

Post 2 Highnmighty

Post 3 Oaklea Opal

Post 4 Sophie Soleil

Post 5 Corries Glory

Post 6 Helens Melons

Post 7 Geisha Hall

Post 8 Lisas Mission

Post 9 Pure Ivory

Post 10 Oaklea Omega

AE1 Oaklea Odessa

AE2 Patsys Point

AE3 Blueridge Yankee

For complete results please go to:

http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rmohstu.html