WINDSOR, ON — Zorgwijk Emani and Peaceful Way delivered dominant performances to capture their Gold Eliminations at Windsor Raceway on Sunday evening.
In the first $49,681 elimination Zorgwijk Emani and Windsor resident Kevin Wallis fired to a :27.4 opening quarter from Post 4 and then laid down steady fractions of :57.1 and 1:27.2 on their way to a 1:57.3 victory. Favourite Trophy Hall finished four and one-quarter lengths back in second and Ifhallscouldtalk overtook Silhouette Dream to earn the third-place finisher’s share.
Trained by Linda Wallis for Cuzzins Stable of Boca Raton, FL, Zorgwijk Emani was making her first Gold Series start since mid-August. The filly missed two months of racing following her fifth-place finish in the Aug. 13 Gold Final at Flamboro Downs, returning to the racetrack just in time for the Oct. 16 Breeders Crown Eliminations at Woodbine Racetrack where she failed to advance to the Final.
Through 13 starts this season the Valleymeister daughter has recorded seven wins and one second for earnings of $200,063. She captured the first Gold Final, May 23 at Mohawk Racetrack, on her way to a five-race win streak that did not end until the Elegantimage Final on June 19. Her 1:54.3 personal best came in an elimination of the Elegantimage at Woodbine one week earlier.
Two races after Zorgwijk Emani’s return to Ontario Sires Stakes glory, Peaceful Way posted her fifth straight victory in Ontario-sired competition. In rein to Chris Christoforou the Angus Hall daughter took control of the race just after the :29.2 quarter and accelerated away from the field with every step. At the half in :58.3, the reigning Gold Final champion reached the three-quarters in 1:27.3 and hit the wire four lengths on top in 1:56.4.
Armbro Beseech surprised fans with her runner-up showing, while second choice McCall Magic settled for third, two lengths in front of Bliss.
Dave Tingley trains Peaceful Way, who has crafted an impressive season of nine wins and one second in 13 starts. Unfortunately the filly’s only lacklustre efforts have come in critical races, the Hambletonian Oaks Final and the Breeders Crown Final.
Last year’s top two-year-old trotting filly, Peaceful Way is owned by Guelph resident Tingley, breeder Angie Stiller of Arva and Goin My Way Stable of Holland, PA. In spite of the heartache she has caused them in big events, the filly has still banked $483,813 this season.
The top four finishers from each Gold Elimination will return to Windsor Raceway next Sunday for the last Gold Final of their careers. Fifth-place finishers Fraulien Bluestone and Miss Michelle H will await the results of the draw to find out whether or not they will compete in the $130,000 event next week or sit on the sidelines and watch.