Ron Burke trainees Rocklamation and Camille stamped themselves as the ones to beat in next weekend's $200,000 Forest City Pace as they turned in a pair of track record performances in Friday night's $15,000 eliminations at Western Fair Raceway.

Driven by Scott Zeron in the first of two eliminations, Rocklamation equalled the 1:53.2 track record for aged pacing mares, which was originally set by Sentbytheangels in 2006.

When the wings of the gate closed, Modern Cinderella (Trevor Henry) crossed over to the pylons from post four before the first turn, but 3-5 favourite Rocklamation rolled by to take over command during the :27-second first quarter.

This year's Milton Stakes champion proceeded to lead her four rivals through middle splits of :56.3 and 1:24.4 before opening up three lengths down the stretch. Ticket To Rock (Jody Jamieson) came in second with Modern Cinderella finishing third. Tea Party Princess (Randy Waples) finished fourth and will also advance to the final.

The millionairess paid $3.40 to win for the 13th time in her career.

“I love this track and I’m happy I’ve got a good horse to drive today and she delivered,” commented Zeron after the victory, adding that the mare's chances of a repeat victory next week will depend on the open post draw results. “She’s a handy horse – she can come off a helmet, she can do it obviously on the front – so I think she’s tough contender.”

Rocklamation, a four-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover and Art Sale, is owned by Our Horse Cents Stables, Stable 45, and Jerry Silva.

Stablemate Camille later lowered the track record to 1:52.4 with a going away score in the second elimination in rein to Brett Miller.

Last year's Forest City Pace winner Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) fired off the gate from post two with outside post six starter Monkey On My Wheel (Jody Jamieson) parked past the :26.2 opening quarter before clearing to command. But Voelz Hanover moved back out for the re-take en route to the half in :55.1.

As the defending champion led the way to the third quarter mark in 1:24, Misty Moonstone (Trevor Henry) advanced first over from fourth to apply heavy pressure to the front-runner with Camille following her cover and stablemate Ginger And Fred (Scott Zeron) on her back.

As the mares entered the final turn, Camille fanned three-wide and swept to command, opening up three and a half lengths down the lane. Ginger And Fred came on for second with Waasmula (Randy Waples) finishing third and Misty Moonstone also advancing.

Camille paid $3.80 to win as the favourite.

"She's just iron tough," said Miller of the winning mare. "She's not real big, she's not real flashy looking and there's horses out there that are quicker that her, but she's just iron tough. She wants to win and if you can get her in the right spot, she's tough to beat."

Miller noted that a good post position and another early speed duel up front in next week's final would work out in Camille's favour. Her familiarity with the London oval is also an advantage.

"She is a Canadian bred and she's raced here quite a bit [for her previous owners]," he said. "You can tell she knows the track because she raced right around here pretty easy."

The four-year-old daughter of Camluck and Art Of Design, this year's Ellamony Classic winner, is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable LLC, and Jack Piatt. She notched her 20th career win while pushing her bankroll to over $685,000.

The field for next Saturday's final will line up in the following post positions:

1. Rocklamation
2. Modern Cinderella
3. Misty Moonstone
4. Tea Party Princess
5. Ginger And Fred
6. Ticket To Rock
7. Camille
8. Waasmula
AE1. Monkey On My Wheel
AE2. Swinging Beauty

Friday’s card also included four $8,000 second leg divisions of the Middlesex County Series for trotting fillies and mares with Kendra Hanover repeating with a 2:03.3 winning effort in the first division. Leaving from post seven in a field full of early breakers, Kendra Hanover worked her way to command past the opening quarter and romped to a two and a half length victory. Loose Change Lucy and Zorgwijk Laurel finished second and third. Trainer-driver Paul Walker shares ownership of the three-year-old Kadabra filly, who is now three-for-five in her career, with Barry Klages. The favourite paid $2.40 to win.

Aristi Varsakis's three-year-old Pegasus Spur filly Silly Dreams broke her maiden while making her fourth career start in the second split with Robert Shepherd driving for trainer Kevin O'Reilly. Silly Dreams advanced first over from fourth down the backstretch and wore down the popular pacesetter Oreally Oreilly for the one length victory in 2:01.3, returning $13.40 to her backers. Soul Reason rounded out the top three finishers over eight lengths behind.

With another maiden-breaking effort, Raspberry Sunrise converted off a pocket trip to win the third division in 2:03.1 by one length with Robert Sparling Jr. in the sulky. Laurie Jackelroy and Strawberry Wine finished second and third. The three-year-old Majestic Son filly was making her 10th career start for trainer Daryl Roberts and local owner Heather Carpenter. She paid $7.90 to win.

Scott Maracle's Majestic Trot also doubled up in the series with a 2:01.3 score in the final division for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Ron O'Neill. The three-year-old Majestic Son filly turned back favourite Dancing Coed and sped away to a five and a half length victory over The Socialite and Lawful Gemstone. Majestic Trot paid $6.30 to win for the third time in 10 career starts.

The Middlesex County Series is for Ontario-sired trotters that are four years old and younger and non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight September 1, 2012. The series will wrap up with a $45,000 (added) final next Saturday.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.