To Helen Back cleared the lead after the first quarter and held off all challengers to win the second edition of the $120,000 Ellamony Stakes for aged pacing mares on Saturday afternoon at Flamboro Downs
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Leaving from the inside post position, Four Starzz Meliss (Jason Brewer) took the early lead with Forever Ivy (Charlie Norris) and To Helen Back (Mike Saftic) following while heavy 3-5 favourite Dreamfair Eternal (Randy Waples), coming off a World Record performance in her elimination last week, was parked out trailing the field from a Post 8 start.
As Four Starzz Meliss approached the first quarter in :27-seconds, Saftic sent To Helen Back first up and the 7-2 second choice cleared in front of the grandstand. Forever Ivy offered up a challenge past the half in :55.4 and three-quarters in 1:23.1, but was put away in the stretch as To Helen Back kicked away to score in 1:53.1 by two lengths.
Dreamfair Eternal closed well to finish second despite racing three-wide for most of the mile. Four Starzz Meliss came in third but was placed fifth for causing interference to Ginger And Fred (Mark MacDonald) in the stretch. Elimination winner Arts Diva (Paul MacDonell) and Ginger And Fred were bumped up to third and fourth as a result of the placing.
“It was a big trip,” said Saftic, who also drove three-time O’Brien Award winner Ellamony in her racing career. “We all know she’s a quality mare but she hasn’t won a lot of races in the last couple of months. She was a better horse this week than last week and it all worked out.
“Paul MacDonell [driver of Arts Diva] and I were talking in post parade and he looked over and said ‘the old war mare’ and you know that’s what she’s becoming. She’s seven years old now and has some age on her but races at a high level every year.”
To Helen Back paid $9.40 to win. John Pentland trains the daughter of Astreos-Rocket Science, who has put together a record of 3-4-1 in 12 starts this season banking $122,040 for owners Mike and Anne Shunock of Dorchester, ON. The victory was To Helen Back’s 24th of her career and boosted her bankroll to $1,271,945.
To view Saturday's results, click here.