Heavy favourite Camille swept up in the final strides to win the $221,000 Ellamony Classic on Saturday afternoon at Flamboro Downs.
With Brett Miller in the sulky for trainer Ron Burke, the four-year-old Camluck-Art Of Design mare sat seventh for most of the mile before charging home to prevail in 1:52.2 a win photo over the closing Strike An Attitude (Randy Waples) and pacesetter Warrawee Koine (Anthony MacDonald).
Elimination winner Voelz Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) crossed over from post seven to establish the early lead, but Warrawee Koine was looming from third and swept up to take over as they rolled by the first quarter in :26.2. 'Koine' carved out middle fractions of :55 and 1:23 while Rocklamation (Billy Davis Jr.) applied first over pressure with Ginger And Fred (Scott Zeron) and Strike An Attitude rallying three and four-wide around the final turn. However, Camille unleashed a :28.2 final frame and came charging up late to nab the victory by a nose.
"Having the four-hole I kind of figured on the two horses on the outside leaving, Baillargeon and Scott Zeron's mares," said Miller of his early race strategy. "I did get away a little worse than I wanted to, but the way my mare felt at the half and coming around the last turn I figured we had a shot.
"I had my eye on the lead horses and they all looked like they were working real hard and everybody had their earplugs out so at the top of the stretch I thought I had a shot."
The Ontario Sires Stakes graduate is owned and bred by Larry Pollard of Harrow, Ont. and leased by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Weaver Bruscemi LLC, M1 Stable LLC, and Jack Piatt III.
Camille, who finished third in her elimination last weekend, paid $5 to win as the 3-2 favourite. Miller noted that some equipment changes boosted his confidence in improving upon that placing for the final.
"I had a lot of confidence in her last week. Her hopples and her head check were a little long though," noted the reinsman. "The Burke crew did some changes on her -- tightened up all her equipment -- and I really felt like if I was able to give her her head and let her go she had a shot to win because last week I could never let her go because she was going to make a break, so I was very confident today. After I scored her down, I just hoped that we had a clear shot and nothing happened in front of us. We did come from far back, but she raced super."
Camille notched her 13th career win and pushed her bankroll to $465,720.
"She just beat some very nice mares here today, so showing what she did today, I think she has a really bright future down the road," concluded Miller.
Three-year-old trotting fillies filled up the Ellamony undercard as they faced off in Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots action. Click here for recaps from the sires stakes.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Flamboro Downs.