by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Autumn Escapade ran her unbeaten streak to three in capturing Friday night’s (July 16) single C$50,000 elimination for this year’s Armbro Flight Stakes for older trotting mares at Mohawk Racetrack.

New Image Media photo

Rick Zeron drove Armbro Escapade to a 1:52.4 score in the Armbro Flight elim.

Local reinsman Rick Zeron got the call on the 5-year-old daughter of Victory Sam-Winning Colors K, who had won two in a row at Harrah’s Chester, and got her away well from post three, landing in the pocket position early behind Friendly Amigo through a :27.2 opener.

Elusive Desire was parked all the way around the first turn and cleared just after the first quarter. At that point, Zeron hustled his mare out from fourth and quickly took command at the :55.2 half-mile mark. The slick-striding mare was strong heading into the final turn and began to widen her lead with Yursa Hanover coming first over to challenge and Elusive Desire struggling to keep pace.

Autumn Escapade took the field past three-quarters in 1:23.3 and built up a sizeable advantage entering the stretch. From there, no one was able to chase down the leader who held off an onrushing Southwind Wasabi who just edged out Rose Run Keepsake for the place spot. Elusive Desire did manage to hang on for fourth. Time of the mile was 1:52.4.

Autumn Escapade is now three-for-nine this season for trainer Jonas Czernyson and owners David and Misty Miller. The winner’s share of the purse bumped her career earnings to just over C$366,000.

By winning, Autumn Escapade afforded her connections a chance to choose their post position for next Saturday’s (July 24) C$351,000 Armbro Flight final. They opted for post number four.

The top nine finishers from Friday’s elimination made it through to the final. Buck I St Pat had elected to accept the bye and raced instead at the Meadowlands where she finished a strong second in a conditioned event behind John Paul’s Legacy in 1:52.2. The world champion ended up with post one in the open draw.

Here is a look at the entire field for the Armbro Flight final in post position order: 1. Buck I St Pat; 2. Southwind Wasabi; 3. Friendly Amigo; 4. Autumn Escapade; 5. Windsong Soprano; 6. Yursa Hanover; 7. Rose Run Keepsake; 8. Elusive Desire; 9. Diana Hall; 10. Lavec Dream.