Kims Quest played the role of spoiler in Monday’s lone division of the Silver Reign Pacing Series thanks to a gritty score in first-over fashion for driver Simon Allard
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The three-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Michelles Destiny, who was sent off at 19-1 in the wagering, knocked off a solid field which consisted of a pari-mutuelly popular two-horse entry sent out by trainer Jim Ainsworth.
Kims Quest tucked into the three-hole when the starting gate sped away, and she tracked Western Dancing and her pocket-sitting entrymate Shes Astreos to the quarter pole in :27.1. Allard had his charge out and driving in the backstretch, but Jody Jamieson refused to give up the lead after laying down half-mile speed of :57.1.
Western Dancing and Kims Quest butted heads all the way to the three-quarter pole in 1:25 before the latter ducked down to the rail. Western Dancing opened up a couple of lengths on the field coming out of the final turn, but Kims Quest re-rallied and used a :28.4 final frame to post the winning effort in 1:54. Shes Astreos snuck up the rail in the closing strides to finish second while Western Dancing faded to finish third.
“I tried to re-take; that was my plan,” said driver Simon Allard when asked about his tactics. “Me and Jody [Jamieson driving Western Dancing] are both aggressive – I like to leave and he likes to leave – so he kept the lead and I got back in the hole and she got back on the bit and she won. She was really good. I don’t know if I’ll be driving her next week, but I think she’s got a good shot. She leaves good; usually when you get away close here you’re good. She’s got the engine. She’s small but that doesn’t mean anything; the size means nothing if they have the heart.”
Kims Quest, who is owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc of Gloucester, Ontario, has put together a 2-1-1 record in her first seven starts of the season while banking $49,000 along the way. She has stashed away $83,869 to date.
The top ten money earners from the preliminary legs of the series will have the chance to line up on the starting gate for next Monday’s $60,000 final.
To view Monday’s results, click here.