by Greg Blanchard, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Random Destiny had a large holiday weekend crowd on its feet Sunday night (May 23) at Mohawk as she made a dramatic sweep of rivals in the stretch to haul down the C$130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final for 3-year-old filly trotters.

With her trainer Riina Rekila in the bike, the daughter of Ken Warkentin-Front Porch Swing got away eighth in the early going and watched as Wilsonator laid down first-half splits of :27.1 and :57.1.

As the field reached the three-quarters, Wilsonator was headed by first-over challenger Emmylou with heavily favored Poof She’s Gone well situated third-over but well within range of the leaders. Meanwhile, Random Destiny had not been able to advance past eighth position at the third marker in 1:26.2.

In the stretch, Highland Strikes, who had been second-over turning for home, made the first move three wide and took the lead with Poof She’s Gone following closely in pursuit and Random Destiny beginning to gear up from further back.

In the late stages, Poof She’s Gone started to hang slightly and it looked as though Highland Strikes would hold on. However, Random Destiny made one final push to get her nose to the wire in front over Highland Strikes with Poof She’s Gone settling for third.

Random Destiny returned a huge $40.10 with her post 10 win and improved her career summary to six wins in 13 starts for Rekila and owner Overseas Farms Ltd. The victory vaulted her career earnings to $253,330.

A happy Rekila called it the biggest win of her young career. For complete reaction on the Woodbine Entertainment Group website, click here.

Quantum Antonio causes fireworks in OSS Gold elims

Quantum Antonio lit up the tote board while Hidden Message and Dontgetinhisway also emerged victorious in Sunday’s trio of Ontario Sires Stakes Gold eliminations for 3-year-old colt and gelding trotters which were contested in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 during Fireworks and Family Fun Night at Mohawk Racetrack.

The big upset win came in the final elimination when Quantum Antonio, driven by David Miller, scored by a neck over Quantum Starship in 1:55.1. Also right there in the three-way photo was Go Go Red Marty who landed the show spot.

The winner returned a whopping $89.80 on the nose and triggered a triactor worth $7,602.10.

The clocking was a lifetime best for the son of Angus Hall-Foreign Victory who was making his first start of the season for trainer Bjorn Noren and owner Scuderia S Giuliano. The win bumped his career earnings to $39,040.

In the opening split, Dontgetinhisway swept from sixth to first in the stretch to tally for driver Rick Zeron in 1:54.3 — a North American seasonal standard in the division. The gelded son of Striking Sahbra-Sloppy Kisses turned back Whit Ken Win and Thro Time while kicking back a generous $12.20 to win.

It was a maiden-breaking win for Dontgetinhisway who is trained by Tony O’Sullivan for the Rumdum Stable and bumped his earnings to $26,919.

Hidden Message made a second-quarter move to the front for driver Phil Hudon in the second elimination and then held on for a gutsy 1:55.1 decision over a hard-closing Windsun Galaxie with Grumpy Jake rallying to pick up third.

The gelded son of Kadabra-Lady Lionel returned $7.70 in posting his fourth win in just six starts this season for trainer Emma Frieze. The victory increased his earnings to $52,133 for the Fintec Stables.

The C$130,000 Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Final will go postward next Monday night, May 31, at Mohawk. Here is a look at the complete field in post position order: 1. Thro Time, 2. Quantum Starship, 3. Quantum Antonio, 4. Go Go Red Marty, 5. Whit Ken Win, 6. Hidden Message, 7. Grumpy Jake, 8. Dontgetinhisway, 9. Text Me and 10. Windsun Galaxie.