Bond found a way to escape with the win in the $381,000 Elegantimage Stakes, presented by SBOA, on Saturday night (Sept. 23) at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
Trained, driven and co-owned by Ake Svanstedt, the daughter of Southwind Frank-Boccone Dolce, sent on her way as the 4-5 choice in the race for three-year-old trotting fillies, settled into second in the first turn as Righteous Resolve (James MacDonald) struck front and took her eight rivals through an opening panel in :26.4.
Rose Run Yolanda (Yannick Gingras) powered to the front just after the quarter and reached the half 2-3/4 lengths ahead in :55.3, followed by Righteous Resolve, Bond and 82-1 Baroness Hill (Doug McNair).
It was Rose Run Yolanda, second choice on the toteboard at 9-5, still holding sway into the turn for home, but Bond was on the move, zeroing in on the pacesetter, and only a head behind through three-quarters in 1:24.
Bond emerged on top soon after, but was then confronted by a determined Righteous Resolve, who burst through on the inside and began to cut into the lead of her rival. The pair continued their tete-a-tete down the lane, with Bond emerging a head on top. Tactical Mounds (Scott Zeron) was third and Baroness Hill finished fourth
The final time, 1:51.3, was a stakes record and personal-best mark for Bond.
“I didn’t think [Righteous Resolve] was going to come on the inside, but it was her coming and it’s a good horse, but [Bond] fought, and she wanted to win,” said Svanstedt.
Close finishes are nothing new for the sophomore filly, who came into the Elegantimage off a pair of wins, one by a head, the other by a neck. One race before her win streak, she finished second, a neck back of Heaven Hanover in the $500,000 Hambletonian Oaks on Aug. 5.
“I think it had been too many races in the front, but she can race anywhere now,” said Svanstedt. “She feels good, and she can leave fast. She’s nice to drive, nice to handle.”
An $80,000 purchase (Hip No.182) at the 2021 Lexington Selected Yearling Sale, Bond is now 13-3-1 from 18 starts and pushed her bankroll over the $1 million mark.
Svanstedt also reached a money milestone with the training win, topping $50 million North American earnings.
Bred by Diamond Creek LLC and owned by Svanstedt, Little E LLC and L Berg Inc., Bond paid $3.70 to win.
Elegantimage, a daughter of Balanced Image, posted a race record of 20-7-3 and lifetime earnings of $955,368 in 41 races for owners Hyatt Holdings, Doug Millard, Jerry Van Boekel and Hall of Famer Steven Condren, who also drove the bay mare. She was inducted into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame in 2017.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.
(With files from Woodbine)