Frenchfrysnvinegar, Cedar Dove score

Frenchfrysnvinegar and Cedar Dove, who both captured divisions in the first leg of the Miss Versatility Series at Mohawk on May 20, returned to victory lane on Sunday evening at the Campbellville oval in the second round of the series.

 

Frenchfrysnvinegar, driven by Jody Jamieson, went gate-to-wire in the opening $30,000 division, stopping the timer in 1:53.4. Last year's O'Brien Award winner cruised through panels of :27.3, :56.3 and 1:25.2, before edging away from her rivals in deep stretch to score the two and a half length win. Sugar Queen Gabby (Rick Zeron) finished second with post time favourite, Pembroke Heat Have (Chris Christoforou), finishing third.

 

A daughter of Angus Hall, Frenchfrysnvinegar increased her bankroll to $723,125 as she celebrated her 26th career victory for trainer Jeff Gillis and owner David Smith.

 

"She's got so much class to her,” Jamieson said following the win. "With a post one start, I wanted to put her in the race in the early stages and she likes to be on or near the front and tonight everything worked out. She was strong at the wire, like she usually is.”

 

Last year's Breeders Crown winner boasts a record of 4-1-1 from 14 starts this season. She paid $6.20 to win.

 

Cedar Dove was guided to victory in the second division by trainer/driver Mike Vanderkemp. Vanderkemp used off-the-pace tactics as China Pearls led her rivals past fractions of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:24.3, before Cedar Dove wore down the tempo setter in deep stretch to score the narrow win. China Pearls stayed for second with Bax Of Life (Jason Brewer) third.