Stubborn Belle cruised to a new life mark in the first and fastest of two $105,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold divisions for two-year-old trotting fillies tonight at Mohawk. Danielle Hall captured the other division.
Amoureuse Hanover and Doug McNair grabbed the lead early in the first test and got the girls by the opening marker in :27.3. She was passed by Youre Majestic whose lead didn’t last long as Paul MacDonell sent heavy favourite Stubborn Belle directly to the top. They passed the half in :56.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.1. No one could catch them down the lane as Stubborn Belle cruised to an easy victory in 1:54.1. Youre Majestic finished second followed by Lady Caterina.
Trainer John Bax of Peterborough, Ontario, shares ownership of the winner, a daughter of Taurus Dream, with Al Libfeld of Pickering, Ontario. Bred by Hanover Shoe Farms, Stubborn Belle was an $85,000 yearling buy at Harrisburg. A winner of the Peaceful Way final in her most recent start, Stubborn Belle has five wins in nine tries this year for $361,000 in earnings.
In the second division Stubborn Belle’s stablemate from the Bax barn, Juanitas Fury got away second behind Meganou who trotted by the opening quarter in :28. Just past that point MacDonell sent Juanitas Fury to the front and she hit the half in :57.3. She had company in the form of Danielle Hall at the 1:26.2 three-quarters.
That gritty pair went head to head down the stretch with Juanitas Fury showing her determination to hang onto the lead and Danielle Hall just as determined to take it. She managed to narrowly edge Juanitas Fury at the wire in 1:55.2. Elegant Serenity was third.
Jody Jamieson drove the winner for his father Carl Jamieson of Rockwood, Ontario who trains and co-owns with Winnipeg Racing of Concord, Ontario. A daughter of Deweycheatumnhowe who sold for $21,000 for breeder Walnut Hall Ltd. at the Lexington Select Sale, Danielle Hall improved her summary to 6-1-1 in nine starts for $253,000 banked.
This was the final regular season OSS Gold event for these girls. The top point earners will hook up once more in the season ending Super Final on October 11 at Mohawk.
(OSS)
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.