WINDSOR, ON — Random Destiny found her way back to the Ontario Sires Stakes winner’s circle on Wednesday evening, scoring a 1:56.2 victory in a $40,000 Gold Elimination at Windsor Raceway.
When trainer-driver Riina Rekila lined Random Destiny up behind the starting gate at Windsor Raceway on Wednesday, the three-year-old trotting filly was sporting a consistent record of one win, three seconds, two thirds and two fourths in eight Gold Series starts this season, but she had not been able to reach the winner’s circle since capturing the season opening Gold Final at Mohawk Racetrack in May.
Not known for her early speed, Random Destiny trotted away from Post 4 in the 11 filly field and was able to find a spot on the rail in fifth as fan favourite Emmylou Who battled Wilsonator to a :27.3 opening quarter. Wilsonator enjoyed the leader’s vantage point briefly, but trainer-driver Lyle MacArthur had Emmylou Who circling out to the front well before the :58 half and had opened up a two length lead by the 1:26.4 three-quarters.
Once the early speed battle was settled, Rekila moved Random Destiny off the rail and started to advance on the leaders. At the half the filly was five lengths off the pace, by the three-quarters she was two lengths, and by the time Emmylou Who made the turn for home Random Destiny had closed to within a length.
The fillies battled down the stretch, but Random Destiny was able to reel in Emmylou Who and score her first provincial victory since May 23, stopping the clock at 1:56.2. Reigning Gold Final champ Emmylou Who settled for second, bested by just half a length, while pocket sitter Wilsonator was left five and one-half lengths to the rear. The top nine finishers advanced to next Wednesday’s $130,000 Gold Final.
Rekila drives and trains Random Destiny for Esa Lahtinen, her partner in Overseas Farms Ltd. of Campbellville, ON. Through 15 starts this season Random Destiny has tallied four wins, three seconds and two thirds in 15 starts for earnings of $275,923. In addition to the May Gold Final, the daughter of Ken Warkentin and Front Porch Swing was victorious in the $168,383 Standardbred Breeders of Ontario Association Stake Final at Mohawk in August, logging a personal best 1:54.1 with the victory.
Wednesday’s win boosts Random Destiny’s season long Gold Series point total to 215, moving her into second spot in the sophomore trotting filly standings behind Emmylou Who. The division leaders will make their last regular season start at Windsor next Wednesday then turn their attention to the $300,000 Super Final at Woodbine Racetrack on Nov. 13.
In next week’s Gold Final, Random Destiny will benefit from Post 3, while Emmylou Who gets Post 7. The remainder of the field for the Nov. 3 Gold Final at Windsor Raceway will line up as follows:
$130,000 Gold Final — Wednesday, Nov. 3 at Windsor Raceway
Post 1 Woke Up Dreaming
Post 2 Little River Dance
Post 3 Random Destiny
Post 4 Ipromisenottotell
Post 5 No Magic To It
Post 6 Wilsonator
Post 7 Emmylou Who
Post 8 Poof Shes Gone
Post 9 Angostura
For complete results click: Windsor Raceway Results — Oct. 27, 2010