WINDSOR, ON — Windsor Raceway’s Sunday evening program features an exceptional line up of Ontario Sires Stakes action, including the $130,000 Gold Final for the two-year-old trotting fillies and three Gold Eliminations for the provincial program’s marquee division, the three-year-old pacing colts.
Leading the trotting fillies back to Windsor is Peaceful Way, who posted an impressive 1:58.1 victory in her elimination last weekend. The precocious daughter of Angus Hall and Royal Bait will start from Post 8 for the second week in a row, but trainer Dave Tingley does not see it being any more of a problem for the filly than it was in the elimination round.
“She handled it last week,” says the Guelph resident. “The main thing is to try and avoid all trouble, especially with the eight-hole; just to stay out of everybody’s way and get settled in.”
Since finishing third in her Sept. 2 debut in the Champlain Stakes at Mohawk, Peaceful Way has effortlessly disposed of an impressive line up of stakes competitors from both sides of the border, easily capturing her elimination and the $553,400 final of the Oakville Stakes at Mohawk and last week’s Gold Series elimination.
Tingley shares ownership on the filly with Joseph Myers of Jamesville, VA, Barbara Myers of Holland, PA and breeder Angie Stiller of Arva, who joined the group just prior to the filly’s first start.
“We sold Peaceful Way last fall, under the name Stonebridge Phebe, to Joseph Myers,” explains Stiller. “Then, about a month and a half ago my husband (Cal), in his wisdom, contacted Mr. Myers and said, �My wife’s birthday is coming up in September and she always liked that filly. Would you consider selling me a little piece of her?’
“So at her first race — we were at Mohawk — my husband presented me this card and it had a copy of the race program in it and my name was listed as a breeder and as an owner. I said, �I don’t own that filly.’ And he said, �You do now, you own a little piece of her. Happy early birthday.'”
Stiller’s attachment to Peaceful Way began soon after the filly’s birth when she and her assistant carried the newborn foal in from a snow covered field. It continued through early lessons in the round pen at the Stiller’s Stonebridge Farm where Peaceful Way displayed the some of the characteristics that have helped power her to earnings of $316,656 in just four starts.
“She had a personality and determination that was somewhat unusual,” says Stiller. “Now she has shown that she has the speed and that she has the talent, and I hope it goes on for a long time. I am very proud of my little Peaceful Way.”
Chris Christoforou will pilot the gifted young trotter in Sunday’s ninth race and he will have his eyes open for elimination winners Meadowview Marion and Spring Audit from Post 1 and Post 7, as well as Miss Michelle H (Post 4), who finished three and a half lengths behind him in the elimination.
Headlining the three-year-old pacing colt Gold Eliminations is local favourite Make It Brief, who heads into the eighth race off a runner-up finish in the historic Little Brown Jug.
“Obviously we’re very pleased with the way he raced in the Jug,” says trainer Bob McIntosh of La Salle. “Ron Pierce said he had a heck of a shot at winning it if he only got out. The horse is just getting good right now.”
McIntosh shares ownership on Make It Brief with Al McIntosh Holdings Inc. of Leamington and Michael Kohler of Sterling Heights, MI and the partners are hoping the Camluck colt can continue the hot streak he has been on since capturing the Nat Christie Memorial at Calgary’s Stampede Park on Aug. 24.
“He made a bad break in Sarnia in the first Sires Stakes (May 22), a really nasty break in the first turn, and I think he jammed himself up,” explains McIntosh. “It took him a while to get over it, but he is really sound and really good right now.”
Ron Pierce will make the trip north to steer the winner of $240,314 from Post 6 in the eighth race.
With the first race getting under way at 6:30 pm on Sunday, Windsor Raceway fans will have an opportunity to relax and get settled in before the three-year-old pacing colts bring them to the edge of their seats in Races 8, 10 and 12 and the two-year-old trotting fillies have them hanging over the rail in Race 9.
The excitement will continue next Sunday, Oct. 5 when the top three finishers from each Gold Elimination will return to the Windsor oval for the second last $130,000 Gold Final in the sophomore pacing colts’ career.