by Greg Blanchard (WEG Media)

Campbellville, ON — Lauren turned in a gritty effort to score as the favorite in Friday’s single C$40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination for 2-year-old filly pacers at Mohawk Racetrack.

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Lauren was victorious in a single C$40,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold elimination for 2-year-old filly pacers at Mohawk Racetrack.

A field of 11 lined up behind the gate with only one to be eliminated and it was Lauren firing out hard from post six for driver Ron Pierce to grab control through a :27.2 first panel.

The top pair would give up the lead in the backstretch to Imagine Semalu who shot out from fourth to first for driver Luc Ouellette past the half in :55.3. The new leader took the field towards three-quarters and put up a third panel in 1:24.2.

Pierce edged his filly out from the pocket before head stretch and had drawn on even terms with the pacesetter as the field turned for home. She was able to forge past that rival but then had to fend off longshot Stonebridge Damsel who appeared live along the inside.

As they approached the finish, Lauren began to edge clear for the 1:53 victory. Stonebridge Damsel was unable to get by Lauren’s wheel and had to settle for second with Bunkhouse Babe rounding out the top three.

The win was the sixth in only eight starts for the daughter of Modern Art – One Cadet who is trained by Bob McIntosh for owners Gordon and Claudia Wright of Charlotte, Michigan. The victory boosted her seasonal earnings to just over $132,000.

The C$130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes final will go postward next Friday night at Mohawk. Here is a look at the field in post position order:

1 Monkey On My Wheel
2 Shipps Xanadu
3 Bunkhouse Babe
4 Village Janus
5 Pearl Handlepistol
6 Stonebridge Damsel
7 Lauren
8 Lady Jill
9 Imagine Semalu
10 Lyons Carrie