by Greg Blanchard, media/communications, Woodbine Entertainment Group

Campbellville, ON — Justa Minx, another product of the SBOA’s New Ownership Mentoring program, was among 11 freshman qualifying winners on Saturday morning (July 7) at Mohawk Racetrack.

The daughter of Astreos-Truly Gala stopped the clock in 1:59.4 in the fourth race with Roger Mayotte in tow. The filly, who is trained by Rene Laarman, used a :58.4 final half to score by 4-3/4 lengths.

The ownership group is called the Count Ten Stable of Toronto and their mentor is Woodbine Entertainment Group harness racing analyst Mike Hamilton, who said he was very happy with the filly’s effort.

“She paced strong through the wire and was very willing,” he said. “She made up a lot of ground in the final quarter and appeared to do it easily, so we couldn’t really be any happier with how she performed.

“I spoke with Roger (Mayotte) afterwards and he said she was very good and was well within herself doing that. Five of the group’s owners and some of their families were out to watch this morning. One guy’s in PEI and one was having his appendix taken out, so they couldn’t make it. But, everyone is pretty excited at this point.”

Hamilton said the game plan for the filly is to start her off in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations on Monday, July 16, at Mohawk.

Justa Minx is the fifth foal from dam Truly Gala, who had all of her four previous offspring make the races, including $100,000 winner St Lads Juicyfruit.

Trainer Carl Jamieson sent out three winners during the morning session while John Pentland sent out a pair. The fastest clocking was a 1:57.4 effort turned in by Robertthebruce, a son of Real Desire-Bruce’s Lady who was a $125,000 yearling purchase at the Lexington Select Yearling Sale last fall. Mark MacDonald drove the colt for trainer Bill Elliott.