Field set for Milton

The stage is now set for the $393,750 final of the Milton Stakes (Sept. 30) for pacing mares after a pair of $50,000 eliminations were contested Saturday night at Mohawk.

Glowing Report raced well in the opening elim for pilot David Miller as the 5-year-old daughter of Artsplace came first-over from sixth after the half-mile pole and eventually notched a 1½-length victory clocked in 1:52.3.

Vysoke Tatry and driver Brian Sears found late room along the pylons, closed from second along the rail, and bottomed the attractive $128.70 exactor

Steering Up Front Dragonfly ($5.00), reinsman Mark MacDonald had worked out a second-over trip behind Glowing Report and finished third, beaten 1¾-lengths, completing the $455.50 triactor.

“I would’ve liked to have had some cover,” said Miller, who piloted the 17-time winner and $1.8-million career earner for owner Marvin Rounick. “I would’ve thought [since I came from second-last] that I’d have been able to flush some cover, but going first-over doesn’t really seem to bother her.”

Miss Galvinator A closed well to finish fourth for pilot Luc Ouellette; and after cutting all the fractions (:27.4, :55.4, 1:24.4), Burning Point and driver Ron Pierce finished fifth.

“She’s had some tough luck so far this year, but she’s a tough mare and she can do it any way you need her to,” continued Miller. “At the top of the stretch I collared Burning Point and I hadn’t pulled the [earplugs] yet. When I asked her, she responded and did the rest. I kept her going, but she did it pretty handy.”

Just like Vysoke Tatry in the opening division, Invitro ($10.20, $3.70, $3.30) and driver Paul MacDonell found late room along the rail, and the duo capitalized on it, as they came on with a flurry to post a three-quarter length victory in 1:52.1.

Loyal Opposition and driver George Brennan gave up the lead late, finished second and bottomed the $26.60 exactor. Four Starzzzz Ittt and pilot John Campbell were beaten 1¾-lengths, finished third and completed the $315.60 triactor. Marnie Hall and driver Dan Dube finished fourth, and Illusionist (driven by Jack Moiseyev) fifth.

“If you can save [Invitro] for as long as I did tonight, she’s always got some good pep at the end,” MacDonell said about Invitro, the 27-time career winner and $1.8-million earner trained and owned by Gord Irwin. “I opted to stay in with her and it worked out.”

In fact, Invitro didn’t leave the rail for her trip. The 5-year-old daughter of Camluck watched Idle Promises, L Dees Val and Loyal Opposition all take their shot on the lead through fractions of :27.2, :55.1 and 1:23.2 before firing home from the back of the pack.

After the second elimination, the post position draw for the $393,750 final was conducted. The connections of the elim winners were able to select their post positions. (WEG release)

MILTON STAKES FINAL

1 – Four Starzzzz Ittt
2 – Invitro
3 – Glowing Report
4 – Marnie Hall
5 – Illusionist
6 – Up Front Dragonfly
7 – Miss Galvinator A
8 – Burning Point
9 – Loyal Opposition
10 – Vysoke Tatry
AE1 – L Dees Val

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