from Standardbred Canada

Cambellville, ON — The C$30,000 Goodtimes Trot eliminations for 3-year-olds began with a photo finish as Gotta Secretand driver Sylvain Filion rallied home off cover to upset the favorites for trainer Richard Moreau and Montreal owner Gestion Jean Yves Blais.

Gotta Secret prevailed by a nose in a career-best clocking of 1:55 over Denver (Yannick Gingras), the slight second choice, and even-money favorite Hamdalla (David Miller). Rolls Blue Chip (Randy Waples) and Bwt Taj (Per Henriksen) finished fourth and fifth to earn spots in next week’s final as well.

When the wings of the gate swung open, Denver rolled to the lead from post five ahead of Buddy Hally (Doug McNair) and reached the opening quarter in :28.4. Hamdalla launched a first over attack from fourth as they approached the :58.2 half-mile mark with Gotta Secret following his cover. Denver maintained the lead to the 1:27 third quarter mark while Buddy Hally broke stride in the pocket and was taken into the safety lane. Hamdalla wore down the leader in the stretch, but had to contend with the late-closing Gotta Secret, who made it up just in time to nab the victory.

Gotta Secret paid $18.40 to win as the 8-1 third choice.

The Muscle Mass-Prenup colt made his first Grand Circuit stakes start a winning one after competing in the Ontario Sires Stakes program for his first 10 career starts.

Once Toocool Forschoolmade the lead after the opening quarter, there was no catching him as he trotted to a 1:53.4 career-best triumph to complete an Ontario-bred sweep of the Goodtimes eliminations.

Driven by Mike Saftic, the Kadabra-Stonebridge Lane colt swept around early leader Brewmaster (Anthony Macdonald) after the :28.3 opening quarter and cruised through middle splits of :57.2 and 1:26 en route to the three length victory. Flanagan Memory (Chris Christoforou) rallied home off cover in :26.4 to place while first over Rossini (John Campbell), the even-money favourite, finished third. Second choice Caveat Emptor (Ray Schnittker) gapped the gate early, but made up his deficit to finish fourth. Brewster earned the last spot in the final in fifth.

Toocool Forschool is trained Glenn Lalonde and owned by Roland Rocco of Lasalle, Que. and Benoit Gendron of Beaconsfield, Que.

Sent postward as the 9-2 third choice, he returned $11.20 to win.

O’Brien Award winner I Luv The Nitelifedelivered on her pari-mutuel promise with a 1:50.4 triumph for Tetrick and trainer Chris Ryder in the lone C$35,000 elimination for the Fan Hanover Stakes.

Longshot Jettin Jamie (Randy Waples) left from post three with heavy 1-5 favorite I Luv The Nitelife rolling up from post six to strike the front at the :26.4 quarter pole. She cleared to command into the backstretch and cruised through middle fractions of :56 and 1:24 en route to the two length victory.

The top nine finishers will join Jerseylicious, who accepted a bye, in the final. Belle Boyd (Jody Jamieson), who entered the race with seven straight sophomore wins, journeyed first over from mid-pack to place while Jettin Jamie finished third. Finishing fourth through ninth were Love Canal (Doug McNair), Pertty Music (Scott Zeorn), Nikki Beach (Ron Pierce), Beach Of A Time (David Miller), Parlee Beach (Yannick Gingras) and Wherethegirlsare (Dave Palone).

I Luv The Nitelife paid $2.70 to win.

The Rocknroll Hanover-Lisjune filly is owned by Richard and Joanne Young of Coconut Creek, Florida.