With his victory Saturday in the $591,240 Breeders Crown final for two-year-old trotting colts, Wheeling N Dealin, a son of Cantab Hall, completed an undefeated season, going nine-for-nine with $683,000 banked.
"We're not going to truck to the Matron. That's it. We want to finish on a winning note," said Jones, now within striking distance of his best year in seasonal earnings (2001, $1.69 million).
$591,240 Breeders Crown Two-Year-Old Colt Trot - Wheeling N Dealin - 1:56
The last time the Quebec native had a trotter win every start at two, she was named Canadian Horse of the Year. That was Emilie Cas El, who went 13-for-13 back in 1994.
"For a horse that's undefeated, 'Wheeling' doesn't get much ink," said Jones, who won his first Breeders Crown final two years ago with two-year-old trotting filly Martiniontherocks, a 30-1 shot, also owned by Montreal's Ecurie Synergie.
Did it feel different sending out a heavy favourite?
"Actually, it was pretty stressful watching both of them race," he said. "She was saving my neck for another year, and he was trying to go nine-for-nine."
Jones also was pleased with Prestidigitator's fourth-place finish behind Intimidate in the Crown final for three-year-old trotting colts and geldings.
$546,987 Breeders Crown Three-Year-Old Colt Trot - Intimidate - 1:52.4
"I'd have liked to hit the board but that was one of his best races. He was just a neck out of second. Sylvain (Filion) had him in perfect position," said Jones.
Prestidigitator, with about $400,000 on his card in 2012, will close out his season with the $300,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Super Final next month. A win would leave the Jones stable with about the same money it collected in 2001, but with half the starts.
"We've taken a team approach the last few years, with Sylvain driving most of the horses for Serge (Serge Godin, owner of Ecurie Synergie) and Dr. (Eddie) McCarvill handling the vet work, and it's paying off," Jones said.
(A Trot Insider exclusive by Paul Delean)