Kims Quest upsets in Silver Reign leg

Kims Quest and driver Simon Allard scored a huge upset in Monday’s second leg of the of the Silver Reign Pacing Series for 3-year-old fillies at Woodbine Racetrack with a lifetime-best 1:54 clocking.

 

The daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Michelle's Destiny got away third and then moved up to challenge the pacesetting Western Dancing right at the opening half in :57.1. The top pair then hooked up in a speed duel, hitting the third marker in 1:25.4. She's Astreos, riding a five-race winning streak, followed the leaders in third position.

 

At the top of the stretch, Western Dancing appeared to rebuff the first-over challenge and widened her lead back out to the length. Kims Quest had room to duck back down to the pylons for a brief breather before tipping back to the outside in the homestretch.

 

Kims Quest eventually wore down the pacesetter and then held off the late rally of Shes Astreos along the inside to prevail by three-quarters of a length with Western Dancing holding on for the show spot.

 

"I tried to re-take; that was my plan," said Allard when asked about his tactics. "Me and Jody (Jamieson driving Western Dancing) are both aggressive–I like to leave and he likes to leave–so he kept the lead and I got back in the hole and she got back on the bit and she won. She was really good. I don’t know if I’ll be driving her next week, but I think she’s got a good shot."

 

It was the second win in seven tries this season for the Frank Baker Jr. trainee who is owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc. of Gloucester, Ont. She returned a healthy $41.90 to her backers.

 

The $60,000(C) Silver Reign Series final will go postward next Monday night at Woodbine. (WEG)