by Sandra Snyder, for the Ontario Sires Stakes

Campbellville, ON — After a seven-week pause in their schedule, the 3-year-old trotting fillies return to Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Series action on Monday, September 24, at Mohawk Racetrack.

While several of the top fillies have enjoyed a well deserved vacation since their last Gold Final on August 19 at Flamboro Downs, Jtlady Strong has spent her time honing her skills and heads into the contest off a September 13 victory at Mohawk where she stopped the clock in an impressive 1:56.1.

“She’s been outstanding,” says Elgin Strong, who shares ownership on the filly with trainer Norman Jones of Campbellville and John Toma of Mississauga.

The 1:56.1 mile was the fourth in a series of strong starts for the daughter of Angus Hall and Brisco Maud. A winner at Flamboro Downs in an August 26 overnight event, she finished second by a head in a Trillium Series division at Hiawatha Horse Park on August 30 and then missed a check in the September 6 Simcoe Stakes at Mohawk, but impressed her connections with a :26.3 last quarter.

“It took her a while this year before she started to develop,” notes Strong. “Norm said all along, ‘Elgin, this horse has talent, let’s be patient with her,’ and it looks like it is starting to pay off.”

Jtlady Strong took her first stab at the Gold Series in the June 23 season opener at Georgian Downs, but a pair of breaks sent her back to the qualifying ranks and Jones opted to try the Grassroots for the filly’s second provincial outing. She was second in the July 12 Grassroots at Rideau Carleton Raceway, but made another break over the Georgian Downs oval in her August 14 Grassroots division.

Strong notes that the long stretch at Mohawk suits the filly’s late charging style, and hopes she can prove she belongs back in the Gold Series from post six in the second elimination on Monday.

“Her style of racing really suits Mohawk and Woodbine with the long stretch,” says the Oakville resident. “Post six suits us perfectly. She’s not a horse that leaves real fast, but if she’s in the middle of the pack at the half we’ll be in good shape.”

Rick Zeron has piloted the half-sister to $262,730 winner and broodmare extraordinaire Lady Orbitex in her last two starts, and will return to the race bike Monday. The pair will tackle a talent laden field of eight that includes Canadian Breeders Champion Carolyn AS from post four, reigning Gold Final champion Movin Over from post seven and former Gold Final winner Caught My Eye from post eight.

The top five fillies from each elimination will earn their way back to Mohawk for the October 1 Gold Final, and her connections hope Jtlady Strong is among them.

“It’s all inside with the heart. Some of them have that and some of them don’t. She seems to have it, and speed too,” says the longtime owner. “And Norm says she’s just a wonderful horse to have around.”

Post time for Mohawk Racetrack’s Monday evening program is 7:20 p.m., with the 3-year-old trotting fillies returning to Gold Series action in races three and four.

Race 3 – C$55,445
Post – Horse (Sire) – Driver – Trainer
1 – Constance Hall (Striking Sahbra) – S. Condren – R. McIntosh
2 – Brigham Dream (Kaisy Dream) – J. Dubois – N. Vandenplas
3 – Maple Sugar (Malabar Maple) – T. Ritchie – S. Kerwood
4 – Summer Audit (Angus Hall) – L. Walker – L. Walker
5 – Matriarch (Duke Of York) – R. Zeron – T. Nadhazi
6 – J M Aggie (Angus Hall) – J. Jamieson – C. Jamieson
7 – Helium (Mr Lavec) – J. Moiseyev – F. Colville
8 – All Time Favourite (Angus Hall) – P. MacDonell – M. Steacy
9 – Whitesand Electra (Angus Hall) – M. Baillargeon – J. Duford

Race 4 – C$55,445
1 – Vanilla Rainbow (Mr Lavec) – P. MacDonell – M. Austin
2 – Ita De Vie (Angus Hall) – T.B.A. – G. Stead
3 – Sportyportia (Striking Sahbra) – Ph. Hudon – J. Remmerswaal
4 – Carolyn AS (Striking Sahbra) – J. Moiseyev – A. Lorentzon
5 – Pondo Holly (Angus Hall) – S. Barrington – R. Young
6 – Jtlady Strong (Angus Hall) – R. Zeron – N. Jones
7 – Movin Over (Royal Ballad) – Ja. Brewer – S. Beckley
8 – Caught My Eye (Angus Hall) – W. O’Donnell – F. O’Reilly
9 – Summer Drinks (Balanced Image) – R. Zeron – R. Mackenzie