Miller time in Molson Pace elims

The $310,000(C) Molson Pace final Friday, May 28, will be the richest purse ever offered by Western Fair Raceway and judging by the three $20,000 eliminations Friday evening, one of the most exciting.

 

Top driver Dave Miller was late getting from the London airport to the racetrack, but the frantic trip was certainly worthwhile as he captured two of the three eliminations and was second in the third.

 

Stonebridge Terror was the first London winner for Miller as he captured the first elimination despite going off as the longest shot on the board.

 

Miller tucked his charge in behind pacesetter and favourite Legal Litigator who reeled off fractions of :26.1, :55.2 and 1:23.2 but could not hold off Stonebridge Terror who nipped him at the wire to win in 1:52.1. Legal Litigator held for second while Southwind Lynx was third.

 

While the result may have been a surprise to many bettors, trainer Jean Louis Aresenault wasn't shocked by the outcome.

 

"The horse didn't know he was the longest shot on the board," he noted. "This is just his third start back (since February). The trip worked out perfect but he's a good horse."

 

When asked what he told Miller before he hopped in the bike, Arsenault responded: "I told him he's a nice horse to drive, most of the drivers tell me he's push button. He got him into a good position."

 

Miller came to London specifically to drive Won The West, the richest horse of the 22 in the elims with $2.2 million earned, and he didn't disappoint. Lucky Man set the tempo of :26.1, :55.2 but Miller pulled his charge just past that point and was on top by the 1:22.4 third panel and was home first in 1:51.3. Lucky Man held for second while Annieswesterncard, driven by Miller's cousin Brett MIller, was third.

 

"He's a true professional," Miller said of the 6-year-old Western Hanover son owned by Strollin Stable, William Robinson and James Koehler of Ohio and trained by Ron Burke. "I wanted to ensure I got a good position and was lucky to get a good seat. He's game first-up as he showed. I came to drive Won The West and I'll stick with him in the final."

 

The third elimination saw Chasin Racin and Corey Callahan hit the first quarter first in :27 but Miller and Foiled Again took over just past that station to pace through the middle splits in :55 and 1:23.1.

 

Jody Jamieson sent Hypnotic Blue Chip three wide as the field approached the three-quarters and battled with the leader down the stretch and went on by to win easily in 1:52.2. Foiled Again stayed for second while Pangiorno was third.

 

The top two finishers, and two third-place finishers drawn by lot, will contest the $310,000 final next Friday night at Western Fair, which will be the track's richest night of racing as the four City of London Finals and an OSS Gold final will also be contested.

 

The draw, made by London Knight's Coach, co-owner and local horse owner Dale Hunter, was conducted after the final and the result is as follows: