Two-year-old trotter Keystone Orion successfully stepped up to the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold level with a victory in the season's fourth $130,000 final on Friday night at Flamboro Downs
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With the field reduced to seven after outside starter No Less Than Magic was scratched sick, The Northern Dude (Trevor Henry) shot out to an early four length lead and led the way past opening fractions of :28.4 and :59 while 1-2 favourite Prestidigitator (Sylvain Filion) and Midfield Magic (Doug Brown) made early breaks.
Sitting in the pocket, Keystone Orion and driver Dave Boughton closed the gap and tipped to the outside as the field headed down the backstretch towards the 1:28.2 three-quarters mark. The son of Angus Hall-Ozone Hanover took over command around the final turn and opened up his own three length lead before hitting the wire in a career-best 1:59.2. Warrawee Nimby (Luc Ouellette) finished second with elimination winner Heres The Magic (Scott Zeron) rallying three-wide from the backfield to show over The Northern Dude.
Keystone Orion paid $9.50 to win as the 7-2 second choice. Donald Lindsey of Fergus, Ont. owns and trains the bay gelding, who earned two wins and two seconds in four previous Grassroots events this year. Keystone Orion finished second in his Gold elimination to Prestidigitator after sweeping his elimination and the final (dead-heat win) of the Balanced Image Trot at Hanover Raceway. The lion's share of his first Gold purse boosted his bankroll to $137,100.
To view results for Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Flamboro Downs.
7 out of the 9 two years old
7 out of the 9 two years old trotters had pulley and hopple.
Is it a joke ?
It is unfair for the trainers and owners that owns natural trotters.
Is Ontario developping a new breed ? Half trotter or half pacer ?
In the stallions statistic, the number of trotters wearing hopples should be identified with a % shown.