On Sunday, October 17 at Balmoral Park, two-year-old pacing fillies Pardon and Elisas Model triumphed in their respective divisions of the Sarah Myers Stakes.
The Dirk Simpson-trained Pardon prevailed by a half-length over Fox Valley Touche in 1:54.1.
Using the tactics which have nailed down so many wins for Pardon this season, driver Dave Magee was unhurried through the opening quarter, while Fox Valley Touche (driven by Dale Hiteman) battled Nina Coleada (Todd Warren) through the opening split in :28.4.
Storming from fourth to first along the backside, the daughter of Richess Hanover--Rose Dawson then proceeded to click off fractions of :57.4 and 1:26.3. Looking strong through the lane, Pardon came home in :27.3 and kept Fox Valley Touche at bay. Nina Coleada was third, two lengths behind the winner.
With the win, Pardon, who was sent off as the 1-5 post time favourite, now has 12 wins and one second in 13 starts.
In the second split, driver Mike Oosting managed to find room along the inside in the late stages and coaxed Elisas Model to a nose decision over the heavily-favoured Mystical MJ in 1:54.1.
Having saved ground throughout the mile while sitting third, Oosting managed to scoot up the inside after Mystical MJ (Marcus Miller) had circled a tiring Little Miss Henry (Casey Leonard) and Bigdreamsnhihopes (Sam Widger) after having watched those two battle through splits of :28.4, :57 and 1:25.4.
Looking like a winner with a sixteenth of a mile to go, the 1-2 favourite Mystical MJ didn't see the hard-charging Elisas Model until it was too late. The Shawn Nessa-trained daughter of Park Place--Graceful Model scooted through along the inside of horses to nail the victory in the final strides. Little Miss Henry held on for third.
The victory was Elisas Model's fourth in 16 starts. She has recorded on-the-board finishes in 14 of her 16 trips to the gate.
(With files from Balmoral)