Getting Euchred and Ima Doll lead the Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies headed to next weekend's $50,000 (estimated) Kin Pace at Clinton Raceway after taking their respective eliminations in front-stepping fashion on Sunday, July 2.
In the first $7,500 elimination, Travis Henry steered Getting Euchred (pictured above) to the top during a :28.3 opening quarter over the "good" track then cruised through middle split of :58.3 and 1:28.1 before fending off the pocket-popping Steadyaswego (Tyler Moore) through the lane for the 1-1/2-length victory in 1:58.1. Treasures Watching (Paul MacKenzie) following four lengths behind in third with 6-5 favourite Bala (Tyler Borth) finishing fourth.
Sent postward as the 8-5 second choice, Getting Euchred paid $5.20 to win.
Brent Belore trains the All Bets Off-Sarahs Creek filly, who also won a pair of Blizzard Series divisions earlier this year at Woodbine Mohawk Park, for owner Ronald Thomson of Embro, Ont.
In the second elimination, Ima Doll quickly crossed to command from the outside post five before the first turn for Clinton's leading driver Tyler Borth then set fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:26.4 en route to the 1-3/4-length triumph in 1:57.1, with the pylon-skimming Deadline Delight (Tyler Moore) finishing second over pocket-sitter Chakka (Paul MacKenzie) and Dakota Shadow (Travis Henry).
Just a head shy of a perfect two-for-two record in the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots program this season, Ima Doll paid just $3 to win as the heavy 1-2 favourite.
The Control The Moment-Voodoo Charm filly is trained by John Pentland, who shares ownership with breeder Alan Bodin of Rockwood, Ont. and Sherri Sumner of London, Ont.
The Kin Pace is for Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies that were non-winners of $50,000 in 2022.
Here's the field for the 2023 Kin Pace final in post order.
1. Dakota Shadow
2. Deadly Delight
3. Ima Doll
4. Getting Euchred
5. Treasures Watching
6. Chakka
7. Steadyaswego
8. Bala
AE1. Oh Gouda
AE2: Paddy Melt
Clinton's weekly edition of the $6,000 Preferred 3 Handicap Pace was won by Harpers Hat Trick ($7.80) in 1:57.1, with Travis Henry working out a perfect pocket trip for trainer/owner Kris Haskell. Life Is Better (Ryan Desroche) missed by just a half-length closing late between horses while favourite Y S Delight (Tyler Moore) rounded out the top three.
Next Sunday, July 9, Clinton will have Pick 5 carryover of $1,536 for its Kin Pace card. In addition, special Kin Pace All-In tickets are available for $20. That ticket includes smoked pork chop dinner following the races, a program and $5 wager. As a special bonus any SC member that registers to attend the event will receive a $5 wager and a Bid & Buy Cap. Details at clintonraceway.com.
The card will also feature Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots divisions for three-year-old colt pacers, a Four Paws flying entertainment live interactive show at 2 p.m., and a fundraiser for the Clinton and District Kinsmen and Kinettes.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.