Wild Dragon scored his second consecutive victory in the Signature Pacing Series on Saturday afternoon at Flamboro Downs, providing driver Sylvain Filion with his first of two second leg divisions
. The series is for non-winners of $75,000 lifetime as of July 14, 2011.
Following a :26.2 opening quarter in the first of two $10,000 divisions, Filion pulled the pocket and sent Wild Dragon to the top ahead of Medoland Big Cam (Scott Coulter. The three-year-old son of Dragon Again-Wild Helen proceeded to the half in :54.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.4, where he was met with a challenge from first over I D K (Keith Oliver). The Richard Moreau trainee turned back that rival as he kicked away by two and a half lengths down the stretch to score in a career-best 1:53.1. Medoland Big Cam finished second with I D K settling for third.
Gestion Jean Yves Blais of Montreal, Que. purchased Wild Dragon for $54,000 at the Harrisburg Sale, and after going winless in three freshman starts, the colt has earned four wins in 11 outings this year to push his earnings over the $40,000 mark.
The odds-on favourite paid $2.80 to win.
Filion also guided Four Js Rustler to victory in the second split for trainer Michael Medors, who also bred and owns the gelding with partner Kevan Lineberger of Ohio.
The four-year-old son of Rustler Hanover-Heavens Luck, who finished fourth in his first leg division, sat fourth through early fractions of :27 and :55.4 before launching his first over attack as the field approached three-quarters in 1:24.2. Four Js Rustler wore down the popular pacesetter, Dr Dew (J.R. Plante), to score the 1:53.4 triumph by a quarter length. After The Battle (Dan Clements) was third.
Four Js Rustler paid $11.30 to win for the mild 9-2 upset. The victory was his second of the season in 13 starts and fourth lifetime, lifting his earnings to nearly $70,000.
The $50,000 (added) final of the Signature Pacing Series is scheduled for Sunday, August 14.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.