Mission Brief turned in a punishing performance in her elimination of the Peaceful Way Stakes during Thursday evening's program at Mohawk Racetrack, and the teletimer took a beating in the process.
The filly rocketed to a 1:52.1 performance, thus lowering the world record of 1:52.2 she previously shared with Designed To Be.
Mission Brief marched to the front in her $30,000 elimination for driver Yannick Gingras, and together they led the group through panels of :27.1, :55.4 and 1:24 before using a :28.1 closing quarter to win by 3-3/4 lengths over Stubborn Belle. Danielle Hall, Southwind Champane and Dynamite Dam completed the top five finishers to advance to advance to next week’s final.
Sent off as the 2-5 favourite, the Ron Burke-trained daughter of Muscle Hill-Southwind Serena improved her rookie record to 5-0-0 from seven trips to the track. The career winner of $270,775 is owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC, Out Horse Cents Stables, J And T Silva Stables LLC and Weaver Bruscemi LLC.
Jolene Jolene captured the first elimination, and just like Mission Brief – she was a popular winner. The daughter of Muscle Hill-Celebrity Speedie got away fourth for driver David Miller, but he had her on the move in the backstretch. She cleared to the top without much of a tussle and proceeded to carve out middle splits of :58.1 and 1:27.2 before kicking home in :28.4 en route to the 1:56.1 score. It was 1-1/2 lengths back to runner-up Juanitas Fury, with Elegant Serenity, Amoureuse Hanover and Lady Caterina.
Jonas Czernyson trains the youngster for owner William Joseph Donovan of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The victory improved her record to 3-2-1 from six starts and the lion’s share of the purse bumped her bankroll to $166,532.
The $385,000 final of Peaceful Way Stakes will take place Saturday, September 13 as part of the Canadian Trotting Classic card.
Following the eliminations, the draw for the rich final took place in the paddock. Elimination winners earned the right to select their post position for the final.
$375,000 Peaceful Way Stake Final
1. Stubborn Belle – Paul MacDonell
2. Danielle Hall – Jody Jamieson
3. Jolene Jolene – David Miller
4. Elegant Serenity – Roger Mayotte
5. Mission Brief – Yannick Gingras
6. Southwind Champane – Steve Byron
7. Dynamite Dame – Sylvain Filion
8. Amoureuse Hanover – Doug McNair
9. Juanitas Fury – Paul MacDonell
10. Lady Caterina – Phil Hudon
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Mohawk Racetrack.