Dreamfair Eternal, Canada’s 2009 Older Pacing Mare of the Year, blazed her way to a 1:51.4 mile equaling the World Record for aged pacing mares on a half-mile track in the first of two $20,000 Ellamony Stake eliminations
at Flamboro Downs on Saturday afternoon.
The Patrick Fletcher-trained Dreamfair Eternal and driver Randy Waples cleared the lead after being parked out from a Post 5 start to the :27.3 opening quarter, and carved out the remaining fractions of :55.3 and 1:24 before coasting home in :27.4 for the record-setting victory. Meadows invader Forever Ivy (Charlie Norris) followed along in the pocket to finish second, one and quarter length behind, while To Helen Back (Mike Saftic) went first over to show. A Ps Money Maker (Rick Zeron) was fourth.
The time of the mile equaled Ladyfield’s 1:51.4 world record set in 2008 at Harrington Raceway.
Dreamfair Eternal paid $2.30 to win as the 1-9 popular choice. Breeder John Lamers of Ingersoll, ON owns the six-year-old daughter of Camluck-J Cs Nathalie, who has won her last five of six starts this season including the Artiscape Pace last Sunday in 1:49.4 - the first sub-1:50 mile in Tioga Downs’ history. The winner of 34 races has banked $156,500 of her $922,915 bankroll this year.
In the second elim, Arts Diva wore down pacesetter Voelz Hanover to score the 1:52.4 victory by a neck.
Racing Star (Jody Jamieson) and Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) battled for the lead through a :26.4 first quarter and :54 half while Arts Diva and driver Paul MacDonell watched the action from the pocket with 4-5 favourite Ginger And Fred (Mark MacDonald) second over. As Racing Star backed away, Ginger And Fred went three-wide around her but Arts Diva pulled the pocket and wore down Voelz Hanover at the wire. Special Sweetheart (Sylvain Filion) grabbed third-place over Ginger And Fred.
Arts Diva paid $6.70 to win as the 2-1 third choice. The five-year-old daughter of Art Major-Caliterra has won two for her seven starts this season earning $60,540 for trainer Ken Sucee and owners Brian Legge of North York and Dr. David Legge of Ajax, ON. The victory was her 13th lifetime and bumped her overall earnings to $551,915.
The top four finishers from each elimination and one fifth-place finisher drawn by lot will advance to the $100,000 (added) final on Saturday, June 19.
To view Saturday's results, click here.