Elegantimage field set

Oaklea Omega, in rein to driver Paul MacDonell, proved to be a cut above the rest in Friday’s second $35,000 Elegantimage Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old trotting fillies at Woodbine Racetrack. The John Bax student, who was a 1:57.2 winner in her Casual Breeze Stakes division last Friday, romped away to win by 6 1/4 lengths in a career-best clocking of 1:57. Armbro Domino grabbed the runner-up spot for Chris Christoforou while Drugeda, and driver Trevor Ritchie, rounded out the top three.

"She [Oaklea Omega] got to the wire very strong considering how windy it was," said MacDonell afterwards. Both fillies (referring to Oaklea Omega and Oaklea Odessa, who finished second in the first elimination) raced extremely well. I'll have to see the results of the post position draw before deciding on which one to go with in the final."

Oaklea Omega has compiled a 2-3-0 record in six starts this season for Ontario partners Glenn Van Camp of Port Perry, Parkhill Stud Farm of Peterborough, Brilo Farms of Sharon and Venture K Stable of Little Britain.
Dr. David Grant of Simcoe and Kenneth Grant of Waterford, Ontario, bred the daughter of Balanced Image – Chippies Victory, who sports a career bankroll of $183,245.

Buck I St Pat turned in a devastating performance in the first Elegantimage elimination. The Mickey Burke-trainee, who came in fresh off of her stakes record performance in last Friday's Casual Breeze Stakes, was a 3 3/4-length winner in 1:55.4 despite having to do the first-over roadwork for driver Dave Palone. Oaklea Odessa rallied to finish second after enjoying a pocket trip for most of the mile and pacesetter Merles Pearl was third.

"I didn't want to race her on the point," said Palone in the winner's circle afterwards. "If she's going to race in the Grand Circuit, she's going to have to learn to race both ways. When I moved her first-up I didn't want to step on the gas too quick. When I asked her, she had plenty of go."

Buck I St Pat improved her 2006 record to three wins in five starts with tonight's victory for partners Howard Taylor and Edwin Gold of Pennsylvania along with Abraham Basen of Nevada and R R Fuller of Ohio.
Fuller also bred the daughter of Jailhouse Jesse – Name It Something, who upped her lifetime earnings to $135,486 with the win.

Bee Line, who made a costly break in last weekend's Casual Breeze Stakes, was all systems 'go' from start to finish for driver Luc Ouellette in the third and final $35,000 Elegantimage Stakes elimination. The 3-year-old daughter of Self Possessed – Bullville Flight, who is trained by Chris Beaver, chopped out panels of :28.1, :57.2 and 1:27.3 en route to a six-length decision in a career-best clocking of 1:57. Meadowview Tiffy, who was sent off as the post time favourite, was second best while Winning Sister finished third.

"I liked seeing Luc being able to back off the speed and back off the fractions," said trainer Chris Beaver. "I just started training her; my dad's had her all along. She's a big strong filly that can go a long way on the lead. I'm just going to try and keep her happy and sound going into next week.

Bee Line, who went 3-for-6 as a rookie, is 2-for-4 this season for owner Johanna Beaver of Delaware, Ohio. The lion's share of the $35,000 purse gives the filly lifetime earnings of $62,672.
The top three finishers and one fourth place finisher earned the right to advance to the $559,200 Elegantimage Stakes final, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 17. Here are the results of the post position draw:

$559,200 Elegantimage Stakes Final
1. KD Girl
2. Oaklea Omega*
3. Buck I St Pat*
4. Bee Line*
5. Drugeda
6. Meadowview Tiffy
7. Armbro Domino
8. Oaklea Odessa
9. Merles Pearl
10 Winning Sister
AE1. Mai Tai
AE2. Porsche Hall
(Woodbine Release)

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