The last Gold Series Final of the season was contested Wednesday evening at Grand River Raceway, and the landscape of the race changed early in the mile when race favourite Miss Paris broke along with Daylon Miracle and One More Ginny.
Their misfortune turned out to be the good fortune of Sugar Wheeler, who was hustled to the lead by driver Paul MacDonell in her quest to build on last week’s Canadian record-setting performance. The three-year-old daughter of Angus Hall-Quick Credit, who was sent off as the 7-5 second choice by the betting public, led the field through panels of :28 and :59.3 before being confronted by Miss Paris across the backstretch. The divisional leader prompted Sugar Wheeler to the three-quarter pole in 1:28.3, and it took a :29.2 closing panel for Sugar Wheeler to fend off a very determined Miss Paris by a mere half-length margin. Smarty Pants was third.
Mike Keeling trains the eight-time winner, who now owns a 7-8-3 record from 23 starts this season, for P C Wellwood Enterprises Inc, Alan Hainsworth, William Weaver III and Kelley Racing Stable. After banking just $4,400 in her rookie campaign, Sugar Wheeler has followed up by stashing away more than $326,000 this season.
Miss Paris finished the regular season as the divisional leader with 297 points thanks to four wins from eight OSS assignments. Sugar Wheeler, who went 3-for-8 in the OSS this season, was next in line in the division with 265 points. The fillies will renew their rivalry next month in the $300,000 OSS Super Final at Woodbine Racetrack.
To view results for Wednesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Grand River Raceway.