CAMPBELLVILLE, ON — Freshman pacing filly The Patriot proved her fourth-place finish in the Breeders Crown was no accident with an impressive victory in Gold Series action at Mohawk Racetrack on Monday evening. The Albert Albert daughter stopped the clock at 1:54, just one-fifth of a second off the Ontario Sires Stakes record for two-year-old pacing fillies over a seven-eighths mile track.
Leaving from Post 9 driver Steve Condren tucked The Patriot on the rail in mid-field through the early going as A And Gs Dream hustled to front in :27 and favourite Northern Harmony took over en route to the :55.2 half. Condren sent his charge to the outside heading by the 1:25.2 three-quarters and the winner of $393,478 simply powered away from the field to the three length victory.
Division leader Northern Harmony faded badly to finish fifth while Tribute To Heroes closed hard to be second and Maple Lady picked up the third-place finisher’s share of the $112,831 purse.
Breeders Glengate Farms of Campbellville and Suvretta Stables of Toronto share ownership of The Patriot, who has been a consistent player in the upper echelons all season, posting five wins, five seconds and two thirds in 15 starts. Campbellville resident John Kopas trains the talented youngster who currently ranks second in the division standings with 274 points earned through one Gold Final victory and a trio of Gold Elimination wins.
The Patriot’s quick clocking was just off the 1:53.4 mile logged by Cupcakesnwhipcream at Woodbine Racetrack in 2000 and lowered the filly’s personal best by two full seconds.
All 10 fillies are eligible to return to Mohawk Racetrack for the $130,000 Gold Final on Nov. 4 and the top 10 point earners from five regular season events will make a third visit to the Campbellville oval on Nov. 16 for their rich $300,000 Super Final.