by Moira Fanning, publicity director, the Hambletonian Society

Campbellville, ON — Ideal Weather and Double Dream N, both driven by Jody Jamieson, were upset winners on Friday night (August 24) in the elimination races for next weekend’s $363,000 (C$392,400) Breeders Crown Mare Pace at Mohawk Racetrack.

USTA/Ken Weingartner photo

Ideal Weather was a 1:49.3 winner in her Breeders Crown elimination.

Sent off at 15-1, Ideal Weather set the opening fraction of :26.4 before settling into second behind Armbro Dancer. Ideal Weather reclaimed the lead in the stretch and won by 1-1/2 lengths over Invitro in 1:49.3, equaling the track record. Armbro Dancer was third, followed by My Little Dragon and favorite Moving Pictures.

“It worked out that (Moving Pictures) opened up the rail and I just took it; there was no sense thinking about it, I just went,” Jamieson said. “I straightened up in the stretch and she just dug in. She was very good. I was really happy with her.”

It was the second win of the year for Ideal Weather, who has made 13 starts and earned $101,584. She is owned by Sylvia Burke, Lawrence Karr and Thomas Cherichello.

Guestimate and Four Starzz Meliss failed to advance to the final. Four Starzz Meliss was supplemented into the race for $37,500.

Double Dream N, who was 12-1, was third for much of her elim before chasing down Darlin’s Delight in deep stretch to win by a head in 1:51.1. Vysoke Tatry was third, followed by favorite Free and Marnie Hall.

It was the eighth victory of the season for Double Dream N, who has earned $184,340 in 21 races this year. She is owned by Redmak Enterprises and Briarcliff Manor.

To Helen Back and KG Katriona failed to reach the final.

Following the race, post positions were drawn for the final. The connections of elim winners Ideal Weather and Double Dream N picked their posts.

Post – Horse – Driver – Trainer
1 – Darlin’s Delight – Yannick Gingras – Jeff Stafford
2 – Ideal Weather – Jody Jamieson – Ron Parsons
3 – Double Dream N – TBA – Darren McCall
4 – Invitro – Paul MacDonell – Gord Irwin
5 – Vysoke Tatry – Rick Zeron – Brett Robinson
6 – Marnie Hall – Dan Dube – Mark Silva
7 – Armbro Dancer – Ron Pierce – Jimmy Takter
8 – Free – David Miller – Kelvin Harrison
9 – My Little Dragon – Brian Sears – Noel Daley
10 – Moving Pictures – Mark MacDonald – Casie Coleman