REXDALE, NOV. 13, 2005 — Ontario’s most talented trotters and pacers put on a $2.4 million show at Woodbine Racetrack on Saturday night, lowering one Ontario Sires Stakes and track record and matching another under the clear November skies.
Majestic Son and driver Rick Zeron of Oakville came up with a flawless effort in the two-year-old trotting colt Super Final, putting away favourite Was It A Dream at the half and then powering home to a one length victory in a record setting 1:56. The mile lowered the former Ontario Sires Stakes record, set by Cincinnati Kid at Mohawk Racetrack in 2003, by one-fifth of a second and peeled four-fifths of a second off the longest standing track record at Woodbine — Conch Deville’s 1:56.4 mile in 1999.
“I knew he was that fast, but I didn’t even think about records, just the win was all I was hoping for,” said trainer Mark Steacy after the race. “It was a nice night tonight, so I figured if they went enough fractions that they probably could go that fast.”
Lansdowne resident Steacy trains Majestic Son for David Reid of Glenburnie, David McDonald of Cornwall, A. K. Malik Stable of Ottawa and Dr. Malcolm Man Son Hing of Nepean. The partners acquired the Angus Hall son for $33,000 at last fall’s Forest City Yearling Sale and through 13 starts he posted five wins, four seconds and one third for earnings of $527,886.
Dr. Robert Johns finished second in the $300,000 season finale for trainer Anders Wolden and Kathrine Moi of Moffat and Campbell Hall rounded out the top three. Favourite Was It A Dream settled for fourth.
In the two-year-old trotting filly division Pure Ivory matched Peaceful Way’s 1:57 Ontario Sires Stakes record, cruising to a commanding three and three-quarter length victory. Nobody Nos Butme, who drew in off the also eligible list when Patsys Point was scratched due to sickness, made the most of the opportunity and claimed the runner-up cheque while Spirit Of The Law beat out the division point leader Birminghim for third.
Driver Steve Condren shares ownership on Pure Ivory with Jerry Vanboekel of Bright, Harry Rutherford of Mount Pleasant and Christine Maxwell of Ayr and after the victory the Milton resident was looking forward to Breeders Crown eliminations at The Meadowlands in New Jersey next Saturday.
“If everything’s okay — she’s okay Monday and Tuesday — we’re going to go,” said the veteran reinsman. “It won’t be easy, but I think we belong, so we’ll hopefully get a decent cheque.”
Ayr resident Brad Maxwell trains the Striking Sahbra daughter, a $62,000 yearling, who has amassed a record of nine wins and one second in 12 starts for earnings of $391,288.
A record setting pace was not necessary for three-year-old pacing filly Lady Dillinger to capture her second straight Super Final victory. The D M Dilinger miss and driver Mike Saftic of Campbellville took command of the race just past the opening quarter and never needed to glance back as they sailed to a 1:52.1 victory, three lengths ahead of KG Delight. Serenity Seelster, owned by Garth Bechtel of Caledon Village, Glenn Bechtel of Kingston and John MacMillan of Spencerville earned the third-place finisher’s share.
Gaetan Hebert of Waterdown bred, owns and trains Lady Dillinger, who was flawless in Ontario Sires Stakes competition from July through November. Saturday’s victory boosted her 2005 record to nine wins, one second and three thirds in 18 starts and nudged her lifetime earnings over the million mark.
“It still hasn’t sunk in, it’s never sunk in yet. I’m just riding it; I’m just waiting for the bubble to burst,” said Hebert. “I never shake and I was shaking, even after the race.”
The former blacksmith added that the filly will get a well deserved winter vacation before beginning preparations for a four-year-old season, following in the footsteps of recent Ontario Sires Stakes stars Invitro and Burning Point.
Both Rick Zeron and Steve Condren made a second appearance in the Super Final winner’s circle — Zeron with three-year-old trotting colt Northern Ensign and Condren with three-year-old pacing colt Big Bonus. Like Pure Ivory, Northern Ensign will now head south for next weekend’s Breeders Crown eliminations and Zeron is hoping that he gets a second opportunity to sit behind the colt.
“If they phone me and ask me to, I’ll be on a plane, in a heartbeat,” said Zeron. “If Mark Harder phones me I’m on a plane, for sure.”
Mark Harder, who calls Greensville home when he is in Ontario, trains the Angus Hall son for his partners John Fielding of Toronto, Bryan Montgomery of Hightstown, NJ and Arden Homestead Stable of Delhi, NY. The win was Northern Ensign’s fifth in 17 tries this season and almost doubled his season earnings to $330,598.
In the other Super Final battles Fan Favourite repeated as the Super Final champion in the three-year-old trotting filly division, Valkyrie Hanover scored a mild upset in the two-year-old pacing filly division and Alastor Hanover claimed a well deserved two-year-old pacing colt crown with an outstanding effort from Post 10.
For complete results please go to:
http://www.standardbredcanada.ca/results/data/rwdbssa.html