DUNDAS, ON — Upsets were the rule rather than the exception in Gold Elimination action at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening as the talented two-year-old trotting fillies demonstrated their skill over the half-mile oval.

In the first $49,663 elimination Spirit Of The Law employed come-from-behind tactics to land her second straight victory, and her first in Ontario Sires Stakes action. In rein to Steve Condren, the Angus Hall daughter started from the trailing Post 9 and sat in the middle of the pack as favourite Oaklea Opal carved out fractions of :29, :59.4 and 1:30.1. Heading to the three-quarters, Condren sent Spirit Of The Law up the outside behind Prenup and the pair made rapid inroads on the leaders.

At the top of the stretch Spirit Of The Law was one and three-quarter lengths back in fourth, but a powerful finishing kick propelled the young trotter to a 2:02 victory, two lengths ahead of Prenup and reigning Gold Final champion Birminghim. Pacesetter Oaklea Opal settled for fourth, five and a half lengths behind the winner.

Gaetan Joseph Brunet trains Spirit Of The Law for Theodore Gewertz of New York, NY and Deborah Brunet of Vernon, NY. Through nine starts the filly has recorded two wins and one third for earnings of $36,997.

Sent off as the fifth choice in the field of nine, Spirit Of The Law returned $39.50 to win, $15.00 to place and $8.20 to show. Seventh choice Prenup, owned by David Goodrow Stable of Campbellville and Danterra Racing Stable of Strathroy, delivered a $15.80 place pay out and a $5.90 show dividend, while second choice Birminghim’s third-place effort was worth $2.70. The exactor returned $697.80 and fans who correctly selected the top three finishers earned $4,588.40 on their triactor wager.

In the second elimination it was fourth choice Geisha Hall who got the job done, as heavy favourite Pure Ivory made a series of breaks that knocked her out of contention.

Like Spirit Of The Law, Geisha Hall started from the trailing Post 9 and sat in the middle of the pack as Oaklea Odessa and Lisa’s Mission battled to a :28.3 opening quarter. As the leaders slowed the tempo heading toward the 1:00.1 half, veteran reinsman Jack Moiseyev sent Geisha Hall up the outside and the Striking Sahbra miss had taken command of the race by the 1:29.3 three-quarters.

On top by one and a quarter lengths as the fillies turned for home, Geisha Hall fought off a late charge by Oaklea Odessa to claim her second Gold Elimination victory in 2:01.1. Oaklea Odessa finished one-quarter length back in second and Lisa’s Mission was five and a half lengths back in third. Highnmighty, owned by Carl Jamieson of Princeton, Thomas Kyron of Etobicoke, Dr. Michael Wilson of Rockwood and Kenneth Ewen of Georgetown, also advanced to next Sunday’s $130,000 Gold Final with her fourth-place effort.

Trainer Bob McIntosh of LaSalle shares ownership on Geisha Hall, a $130,000 yearling purchase, with breeders Walnut Hall Limited of Lexington, KY and CSX Stables of Liberty Center, OH. Through six starts the filly has posted two wins, one second and earnings of $60,092.

Geisha Hall repaid her supporters with $23.20, $6.30 and $3.40 pay outs for their win, place and show wagers. The fans’ second choice, Oaklea Odessa delivered $4.30 to place and $2.80 to show, while fourth choice Lisa’s Mission returned $2.90 to show. The exactor was worth $99.30 and the triactor paid $465.10.

The top four fillies from each elimination will return to Flamboro Downs next Sunday, Oct.. 2 for their second last shot at a $130,000 Gold Final prize. Post positions for the Gold Final are as follows:

Post 1 Prenup

Post 2 Oaklea Odessa

Post 3 Geisha Hall

Post 4 Highnmighty

Post 5 Birminghim

Post 6 Lisas Mission

Post 7 Oaklea Opal

Post 8 Spirit Of The Law

AE1 Sopie Soleil

AE2 Strikingly Luvable

For complete results please go to:

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