DUNDAS, ON — Reigning Gold Final champ Witch Way began defence of her title with a front end victory in Gold Elimination action at Flamboro Downs on Wednesday afternoon.
With Milton resident Randy Waples in the race bike, Witch Way powered off the starting gate and led the field of two-year-old trotting fillies through fractions of :30.3, 1:00.4 and 1:30.4 before cruising home to a one and one-quarter length victory in a personal best 2:00.2. Destinys Magic, owned by Jack Darling Stables Ltd., Daniel Lagace and Michelle Gagne of Cambridge, tailed along behind Witch Way into the runner-up spot. Twin B Sensation was two more lengths back in third for owners Glengate Farms of Campbellville, Parkhill Stud Farm of Peterborough and Gaelic Stable of Sharon.
Joe MacIsaac of Moffat conditions Witch Way for breeder Carolyn Williston of Moffat and Doug Millard of Woodstock. The filly kicked off her freshman campaign with a 2:03.3 win in her Gold Elimination at Grand River Raceway on July 4 and came back the following week with a 2:01 effort to claim the first Gold Final trophy of the season. The Ken Warkentin daughter boosted her lifetime bank balance to $105,000 with her third victory, and heads back to Flamboro next Wednesday, July 27 for a second shot at a Gold Final title.
The quickest mile of the four Gold Eliminations was clocked by Circles, who toured the Flamboro half-mile in 2:00 for trainer, owner and breeder John Smith of Woodlawn. Jacques Hebert piloted the filly to the front end victory over Frisky Strike and Radical Dreamer, who is owned by trainer Ron O’Neill of Cambridge and Woodstock resident Doug Millard.
Also a Gold Elimination winner at Grand River, Circles finished one-half length behind Witch Way in the July 11 Gold Final and will be looking to reverse that order in next week’s $130,000 skirmish. The Majestic Son miss is a half-sister to $308,800 winner Buckhams Bay, who was a multiple Gold Final winner at two.
Counter Pointe also earned her second Gold Elimination trophy, delivering a four and three-quarter length victory over Wark Woman and Elin in the third split. The Striking Sahbra lass and trainer-driver Wayne Henry reached the wire in 2:00.3.
The Henry Stable of Arthur, Daniel McCann of Parkhill and Jeffrey Thomson of Chesley share ownership of Counter Pointe, who made a costly mistake in the early stages of the season opening Gold Final and had to settle for fourth. The young trotter will be hoping to make amends for that error with a strong finish in next week’s final.
The other Gold Elimination went to Winning Sissy, who delivered the only come-from-behind victory of the four $40,000 divisions. Roger Mayotte piloted the Angus Hall lass to the 2:01 win over Dancehall Mistress and My Old Flame for trainer Charlie Norris and owner-breeder Robert Key of Leechburg, PA.
Wednesday’s outing marked Winning Sissy’s debut in the Ontario Sires Stakes program. The filly qualified and made one start at The Meadows in Pennsylvania prior to shipping north for her first provincial engagement.
The top two fillies from each Gold Elimination will return to Flamboro Downs next Wednesday, July 27 for their second $130,000 Gold Final.
For complete results please go to: Flamboro Downs Results — July 20, 2011