DUNDAS, ON — Wanabeamillionaire scored a major upset at Flamboro Downs on Sunday evening, capturing a wire-to-wire victory in the $130,000 Gold Final for three-year-old trotting fillies.
Taking full advantage of Post 1, driver Don McElroy sent Wanabeamillionaire directly to the front in the third race and reeled off steady fractions of :28, :58.3 and 1:28. Heading down the stretch the Mr Lavec daughter dug into the reserves to hold off a fast closing Wescott and eke out the neck victory in 1:58.2, just one-fifth of a second off the track and Ontario Sires Stakes record for sophomore trotting fillies.
Dream Alone delivered a steady effort to earn the third-place finisher’s share, while heavy favourite For The Luva Moni never engaged in the race and finished two lengths back in fourth.
Flamboro fans who supported Wanabeamillionaire earned a hearty win pay out of $22.10, a place return of $11.00 and a show dividend of $8.00. Those opting for second choice Wescott pocketed $9.20 to place and $8.00 to show and Dream Alone’s backers earned $.6.70. The 1 – 9 exactor was worth $276.90, adding Dream Alone to a triactor ticket landed you a smart $1,703.40 and those playing numbers 1 – 9 – 4 – 5 on a superfecta wager went home $6,789.85 richer.
Robert Waxman of Ancaster owns Wanabeamillionaire, and Waterdown resident Scott McEneny handles the filly’s training. Through 11 starts this season she has scored three wins, two seconds and three thirds for earnings of $137,927, almost half of that from Sunday’s upset.
The win also moved Wanabeamillionaire up the division standings into fourth spot with 124 points. For The Luva Moni and Wescott currently share top spot in the Super Final point race with 208.
The three-year-old trotting fillies have one last opportunity to secure a spot in the season ending Super Final when they head to Mohawk Racetrack on Oct. 20 and 27. The top 10 point earners after the five regular season events will return to Mohawk on Nov. 8 for the $300,000 Super Final.
Ontario Sires Stakes action returns to Flamboro Downs next Sunday, Oct. 12 when the talented two-year-old pacing colts wrap up their Grassroots season at the Dundas half-mile.