After capturing both Gold Eliminations last weekend, driver Steve Condren selected Imperial Count as his mount for Friday’s $130,000 Gold Final at Rideau
Carleton Raceway, and when the starting gate pulled away from the field of two-year-old trotting colts it was evident that he had made a wise decision.
Iroquois, ON resident Jason Gilchrist had Holy Kadabra in gear early, floating down to the rail from Post 3, but Condren also had Imperial Count on the muscle from Post 6 and took command of the race as the colts sped by the opening quarter in :28.1. Jacques Hebert picked up the drive on the other elimination winner Sim Brown — and Rideau Carleton fans sent them off as the favourite — but the gelding made a break just after the start that knocked them out of contention.
Once he reached the front, Condren took his foot off the accelerator and Imperial Count cruised along to a :58.2 half and a 1:28.3 three-quarters. Air Stewart mounted a challenge heading for the three-quarters, but could not gain ground on Imperial Count who turned for home two lengths ahead of his peers and added another half length to the margin before the 1:58.2 finish.
Air Stewart finished second to Imperial Count for the second straight week, while Undercover Strike recovered from an early break to grab the third-place finisher’s share, two lengths behind Air Stewart.
Milton, ON resident Condren engineered the Gold Final victory for trainer Kevin O’Reilly of Moffat, ON and owner Neven Botica of Perth, Australia. Botica acquired the son of Angus Hall from last fall’s Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, offering up $37,000 US for the first foal from $90,749 winner Miss Imperial, who scored 12 victories and posted a personal best of 1:53.3 racing in Illinois-bred events as a two and three-year-old.
The win improved Imperial Count’s record to two wins, one second and one third in five starts and elevated his bank balance to $122,300. The only time the youngster failed to hit the board was in his July 28 Gold Elimination at Grand River Raceway, where he made an early break and finished sixth.
Imperial Count will have an opportunity to defend his Gold Final crown on Sept. 25 at Flamboro Downs, but after Friday’s impressive effort fans can expect to see the youngster take a shot at North America’s best in the William Wellwood Memorial Eliminations at Mohawk Racetrack on Sept. 10.
The Ontario Sires Stakes program makes its next stop at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Thursday, Sept. 16, when the three-year-old trotting fillies arrive in Ottawa for the fourth Gold Series event on their calendar.
(O.S.S.)
To view Friday’s results, click here.