The man known as 'Trottin' Trevor Ritchie reined home two of Friday night's three elimination winners in the Goldsmith Maid for two-year-old filly trotters at Woodbine Racetrack.
Ritchie clicked first in the opening split when he guided Tuscan Gal to a wire-to-wire victory in 1:58. The daughter of Andover Hall – Duxelle Hanover held on bravely for a head decision over a closing Elusive Desire (Paul MacDonell) with Give N Take (Mike Lachance) finishing in the third spot.
Favourite Windsong Soprano (Steve Condren) turned in a flat effort and finished fifth.
It was the third straight victory for Tuscan Gal who is trained by Mark Steacy and the lion's share of the $23,000 purse vaulted her past $85,000 in earnings for owners Hudson Standardbred Stable Inc. and Ecurie Gaetan Bono Inc. of Quebec.
Ritchie also captured the final elimination with Celebrity Juliet who converted off a pocket trip to score in 1:59. The daughter of Cantab Hall - Naked Lyric just edged out pacesetting Musical Mystery (John Campbell) with Highscore Kemp (Tim Tetrick) rallying for the show spot.
It was the fourth win in 11 starts for the Staffan Lind trainee and boosted her earnings to over $60,000 for the Celebrity Farms of New York, New York.
The other elimination fell to Up Front Annika who turned in the fastest clocking with a 1:57 tally for John Campbell. The daughter of Andover Hall - Photo Of A Lady scored decisively over Gift Card (Tim Tetrick) while Yursa Hanover (Mario Baillargeon) rounded out the top three.
The Kelly O'Donnell trainee has now won three of eight starts this season for owners Ed Mullinax of Amherst, Ohio and Murray Brown of Hanover, Pennsylvania. The victory increased her seasonal bankroll to just over $100,000.
The top three finishers in each elimination garnered a spot in the $616,000 Final with one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot. That lucky entrant was Scrumptious Lindy.
Trevor Ritchie opted to go with Tuscan Gal for the Final.
Here is a look at the field for next Saturday night's Goldsmith Maid Final, which goes as part of the 'Fall Four' at Woodbine:
1. Elusive Desire
2. Tuscan Gal
3. Celebrity Juliet
4. Up Front Annika
5. Yursa Hanover
6. Musical Mystery
7. Scrumptious Lindy
8. Highscore Kemp
9. Give N Take
10. Gift Card
Meanwhile, a pair of upset victories - the first by Notjustaprettyface and the second by Special Sweetheart – highlighted Friday night's two $23,000 Three Diamonds eliminations for two-year-old filly pacers.
In the opening split, Notjustaprettyface left sharply and ducked into the two hole for driver Jason Brewer behind pacesetting Break The News and Jody Jamieson. The top pair raced that way through soft splits before Notjustaprettyface popped out of the pocket in the stretch to score by a length in 1:53.4.
Break The News held on for second while Hawaiian Drink (Brian Sears) finished third. Race favourite Twist N Clout (John Campbell) did not fire and had to settle for fourth.
It was just the second win of the season for the daughter of Jate Lobell - Whitty Sportslady who returned $34.80 for the win. The winner's share of the purse increased her purse winnings to just over $153,000 for trainer Merv Chupp who co-owns along with Kelly Chupp of Crete, Illinois.
In the second elimination, Special Sweetheart (Jody Jamieson) used similar ground saving tactics to haul down heavily favoured Ginger And Fred (Tim Tetrick) right on the wire in 1:53.4. The daughter of Western Ideal - Ladys Special Girl used a searing :27-second final quarter to record the nose decision. It was another 1-1/2 lengths back to West Of L A (Steve Condren) who finished third.
It was the third win in eight outings this season for Special Sweetheart who kicked back $39.50 for the win. The Tom Artandi trainee boosted her bankroll to just over $47,000 for the 4 For 3 Stable of Bronxville, New York.
The top five finishers advanced to next Saturday's $585,000 Three Diamonds Final. Here is a look at the field in post position order:
1. Notjustaprettyface
2. Special Sweetheart
3. It Hurts Me
4. Ginger And Fred
5. Hawaiian Drink
6. Twist N Clout
7. Alison Wonderpan
8. West Of L A
9. Campus Cutie
10. Break The News
To view Friday's results, click here.
(With files from WEG)