Sophomores Battle In Elite

Published: November 9, 2008 09:34 pm EST

A pair of divisions of the Elite Stakes and a variety of Distinction divisions was contested at Hippodrome de Montreal on Sunday afternoon, and for the most part it was a good day for the favourites.

Seven pari-mutuel favourites found their way to victory lane over the course of the 10-race program, with Big Bam Ray yielding the lowest price of the afternoon thanks to a 1:55 score in his $25,000 Elite division for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings.

The son of Yankee Cam front-stepped his way through fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:26 before finishing off his foes with a final quarter clocked in :29 seconds for trainer/driver Daniel Martin. Bluehill Cami was second and Cammbe Aggo was third.

Martin shares ownership on the colt, who was sent off as the 1-9 choice, with partners Gestion Mario Audet Inc., Brian Paquet and Jennifer Walker of Quebec. It was the third consecutive win for the pacer, who now boasts earnings in excess of $200,000.

Cherry Grove took the other Elite division for the three-year-old pacing colts and geldings in a time of 1:55. Sylvain Filion worked out the winning trip with the Justin Filion trainee, who pulled off a mild upset at odds of 5-1 over Paradise Bayama and Destin.

Jan Feldman and Thomas Bittner of New Jersey hold the papers on the son of Western Ideal, who has put together a 2-1-2 record in eight starts this season. He has banked $45,248 to date.

Noblesse (2:02.2) and Conflicting Tales (2:02.3) triumphed in their respective $20,000 Distinction divisions for the three-year-old trotting fillies.

In the set of Distinction divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies, Cee Pee Jenny (2:01.3) and Dreamgril (1:59.4) came away victorious in their respective $15,000 assignments.

My Leap Of Faith (2:02.2) captured the lone $12,100 Distinction division for the two-year-old trotting colts and geldings.

To view Sunday's results, click here.

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