by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — The nation’s best 2-year-old trotting fillies competed in three C$30,000 Peaceful Way eliminations on Thursday night (Sept. 9) at Mohawk Racetrack despite dreary weather conditions. The top three finishers from each elimination plus one fourth place finisher drawn by lot advanced to the C$466,000 final next Saturday night (Sept. 18) at Mohawk Racetrack.

Martiniontherocks and Sylvain Filion were 1:59.3 winners.

Martiniontherocks delivered as favored in the first elimination for driver Sylvain Filion in 1:59.3.

As Ya’ll Like It (Ron Pierce) controlled the pace early in the mile setting first quarter speed of :29 with Massive Drama (John Campbell) and Martiniontherocks still parked on the outside. Massive Drama then cleared to the lead, then allowed Martiniontherocks to take over command before the half in :59.4.

The daughter of Conway Hall took her rivals past three-quarters in 1:30.3. Down the stretch Martiniontherocks held off all challengers including a late rush from First Flower (Jason Brewer) to be victorious. First Flower finished second with As Ya’ll Like It completing the tractor.

Martiniontherocks is undefeated in three starts and lifted her freshman earnings to C$84,965 for trainer Dustin Jones and owner Ecurie Synergie.

“Once we cleared I was pretty optimistic; she got a little lazy on me but once she turned for home she opened up. The mile was good enough to win, so we get to pick our post (in the final),” winning driver Sylvain Filion commented in the winner’s circle. “She got a little on the left line but that’s because she’s green. I think she’s better off cover, so we will see in the final.”

She paid $2.80 for the victory.

Crys Dream took the middle elimination for Luc Ouellette in 1:56.4.

Crys Dream was victorious in the second elimination in 1:56.4.

Crys Dream (Luc Ouellette) marched to the lead from post eight before the first turn and took her rivals past the opening panel in :28.2. As the field raced towards the half, Ouellette elected to allow Fitness Girl to take over command but then re-took at the half in :58.

Thatsnotmyname (John Campbell), who was the post time favorite, used first over tactics as the field went past the final turn but made a break in stride at the three-quarters in 1:27.4.

Ouellette used little urging as Crys Dream was a convincing winner with Hey Mister finishing second and Lukes Sophie finishing a strong third after making a break in stride at the start.

Crys Dream, who was the C$50,000 In Free Trotting Series Final winner earlier this year, now has four victories in five career starts with earnings of C$99,565 for trainer Henrik Hollsten and owner Reve Avec Moi Dreamwithme. She paid $9.70 for the win.

“She was nice the whole way; we were just navigating,” winning driver Luc Ouellette commented. “I knew one was going to come at me and I was going to retake again. At first I had some concern if I should let her go (Thatsnotmyname), but my filly felt good so I decided not to let her go. My filly felt good throughout the stretch.”

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Intense America gave driver Sylvain Filion his second Peaceful Way winner.

The final elimination went to longshot Intense America in just her second career start.

Oh Sweet Baby (Mario Baillargeon) took over command early from post six before the opening panel in :27.4. Celebrity Katie and Brett Miller were not content positioned fourth and took command of their rivals at the half in :58.1.

Celebrity Katie then led her rivals past the final station in 1:27.4 with Intense America coming first-over along the final turn. As the 2-year-olds turned for home, Intense America overtook command from Celebrity Katie and cruised to a 1:56.4 clocking. Oh Sweet Baby finished second after enjoying a two-hole trip. Celebrity Katie finished third but was placed eighth for violating the urging rule caused by driver Brett Miller down the stretch.

The two favorites in the race, Global Warning and Lady Rainbow, both made a break in stride but Lady Rainbow rallied to finish fourth and was placed third for trainer/driver Rick Zeron.

“I didn’t know much about her (Intense America). I spoke to the connections and they said that she had lots of go,” Sylvain Filion commented in the winner’s circle. “When I pulled her first over she really wanted to go, I had to take a hold of her and rate her. She was real strong going to the wire and felt good.”

The victory marks the first lifetime win for the daughter of Taurus Dream for trainer Normand Bardier, Jr. and owner Ecurie Gaeten Bono. Intense America paid $42.40 for the win.

The field for the C$466,000 Peaceful Way final, in post position order, is as follows: 1. Lady Rainbow; 2. First Flower; 3. Martiniontherocks; 4. Crys Dream; 5. Intense America; 6. Musclemad; 7. Lukes Sophie; 8. As Ya’ll Like It; 9. Hey Mister; 10. Oh Sweet Baby; AE: Massive Drama.