Burke captures both Confederation Cup eliminations

Mississauga, ON — Trainer Ron Burke sent out the victors of both C$20,000 Confederation Cup eliminations on Sunday (May 12) at Flamboro Downs, with Done Well and Dorsoduro Hanover winning their respective splits.

The Confederation Cup, a stake for 4-year-old pacers, will feature the top four finishers from each elimination and a fifth-place finisher drawn by lot.

Done Well seized the front early and went quick fractions to handily take the first elimination in 1:51.4. Norm Files/Race Horse photo.

Sent off as the 2-5 favorite, Burke trainee Done Well seized the front early and went quick fractions to handily take the first elimination in 1:51.4.

Driver Dexter Dunn shot the 4-year-old Well Said gelding to the lead and seated The Downtown Bus into the pocket charging to a :26.4 opening quarter. He maintained his speed as the field paced strung out to a :55.2 half.

American History, racing seventh, advanced first over approaching the second circuit and flushed cover from Hitman Hill, who began to retreat heading to the third quarter. The Downtown Bus remained the only threat to Done Well passing a 1:23.4 third quarter as Pretty Handsome fought American History and This Is The Plan three wide into the final turn. Done Well strolled to the wire under pursuit from The Downtown Bus while Pretty Handsome held third from American History and This Is The Plan bearing inside.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Wingfield Brothers, Done Well won his eighth race from 23 lifetime starts, earning $430,154. He paid $2.80 to win.

Overcoming slight interference on the second lap, Dorsoduro Hanover hustled past passing lane-shooter Rockin Speed to take the second Confederation Cup elimination in 1:53.4.

Jimmy Freight fired from post eight for the lead with Lather Up, from post seven, also showing speed along with Rockin Speed to his inside and Dorsoduro Hanover from the pylons. Clearing control to a :27.3 quarter, Jimmy Freight soon yielded command to Ghost Dance, parked from the first turn, who then led the field to a :55.4 half.

Dorsoduro Hanover pulled first over from fourth moving to the second circuit with Courtly Choice in tow. Lather Up flushed outside circling the turn but soon went off stride, impeding Dorsoduro Hanover’s progress slightly turning to the backstretch. Ghost Dance continued to lead past a 1:24.1 third quarter while Jimmy Freight tipped from the pocket and Dorsoduro Hanover surged three wide for the stretch drive.

Dorsoduro Hanover edged to the lead in late stretch as Rockin Speed sprinted through the open stretch for second. Ghost Dance held third from Jimmy Freight and Courtly Choice drifting in his stretch bid.

A gelded son of Somebeachsomewhere, Dorsoduro Hanover won his 13th race from 38 career starts, earning $1,367,806. Matt Kakaley drove the $10.90 winner for trainer Ron Burke and owners Burke Racing Stable, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby, Weaver Bruscemi and Wingfield Five.

Following the eliminations, the finalists — including the fifth-place finisher drawn by lot — were announced, and will draw for their post positions on Wednesday (May 15). The finalists are Done Well, Dorsoduro Hanover, The Downtown Bus, Rockin Speed, Pretty Handsome, Ghost Dance, American History, Jimmy Freight, This Is The Plan and (AE) Courtly Choice.

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