DUNDAS, ON — Ontario Sires Stakes competitors shattered track and provincial speed barriers for the second straight night at Flamboro Downs on Saturday. Competing in Gold Series Elimination action, three-year-old trotting colt Semper Fi Hall stopped the clock in 1:57.1 to shave one-fifth of a second off the former record set by Arva Crest Ago Go in 1996.
Leaving from Post 1 driver Trevor Ritchie gave the Balanced Image colt a text book trip, tucking in behind favourite Abbey Road C as that colt reeled off :29, :57.3 and 1:26.4 fractions, and then pulling out in the stretch to score the record setting victory by one length. Abbey Road C hung on for second ahead of fast closing Ashanti, owned by Antonio Chiaravalle of Hamilton. Fourth-place finisher Zoom Zoom Lavec also advanced to the Gold Final.
Doug McIntosh trains Semper Fi Hall for Walnut Hall Limited of Lexington, KY. The owner-breeders have banked a total of $232,381 on behalf of the consistent colt, who has only missed one cheque in eight starts this season.
Saturday’s win vaulted Semper Fi Hall to the top of the Super Final standings, giving him a total of 145 points. Balagar and Semper Fi Hall’s stablemate Ryan Hall share second spot with 125 points. At the end of the season the top 10 point earners will compete in the coveted $300,000 Super Final at Mohawk Racetrack.
The other division went to Dream Lavec, who led from gate-to-wire en route to a 1:58.1 score over favourite Living Image and Visualize. Cyclone Artie picked up the fourth-place finisher’s share of the $48,380 purse and advanced to the Final.
Peter Heffering of Port Perry and Annmari Daley of Coral Springs, Florida share ownership on the Mr Lavec son, who finished second to Priceless Gem in the Elimination and Final of the last Gold Series. Unraced at two, Dream Lavec has earned $85,348 from two wins, two seconds and one third in nine starts for trainer Dan Daley.
The top four colts from each elimination will return to Flamboro Downs next Sunday, Aug. 18, for their fourth $130,000 Gold Series Final, part of the $600,000 Confederation Cup card.