by Ray Cotolo, for WEG Communications

Campbellville, ON — With the 1-9 favorite Caprice Hill being locked at the pylons for the mile, Royal Charm capitalized off a third-over trip to win the C$436,000 Elegantimage in 1:54.4 at 33-1.

New Image Media photo

Royal Charm scores the upset for her sixth career win in the Elegantimage at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday.

Dream Child secured the lead off a :27 quarter, sweeping by Emoticon Hanover towards the pylons. Side Bet Hanover raced in third alongside Celebrity Eventsy, who inched towards leader Dream Child off a :55.4 half. Into the final turn, Celebrity Evensty pressured Dream Child, while Flowers N Songs and Royal Charm followed from second and third-over, keeping Caprice Hill stuck at the inside racing seventh. Celebrity Eventsy slid by Dream Child when they passed the three-quarter mile marker in 1:24.4.

Caprice Hill had some room to sling up the inside, but after having to evade Dream Child fading to the back, she was caught behind a wall of horses that enveloped stretch-leader Celebrity Eventsy. Flowers N Songs had tipped off her cover as did Royal Charm and Dewdle All Day. Royal Charm edged by Flowers N Songs as Dewdle All Day rushed down the center of the track. Royal Charm held on at the wire, with Dewdle All Day finishing second, Flower N Songs third, and Emoticon Hanover sneaking up the inside to finish fourth.

Royal Charm, a 3-year-old filly by Majestic Son out of the Yankee Glide mare Queen Of Grace, is owned by David McDonald, Shelly Macmillan and Bridle Path Stables. She is trained by Mark Steacy and was driven by Paul MacDonell. Winning her sixth race in her 18th career start, Royal Charm has amassed C$315,212 in earnings.

“It never feels bad when you win a race like this,” MacDonell said. “It’s a prestigious race, and I’m just happy to win it for Mark (Steacy) and his connections. They’ve been supporting this filly right through. She was coming up to a good race and did it tonight. She doesn’t leave very well. It’s been a thing for her all year where she struggles to get away from the gate. As it turned out tonight, she was within five lengths at the quarter-pole and then the flow started to develop on the outside, so she got up third-over, and she always has a good kick coming home. “

Caprice (Hill) is really good, and fortunately for us she got locked in,” Steacy said. “You have to be lucky to be good, too.”

Royal Charm returned $67.50 to win and $122.50 to place; there was no show wagering. Dewdle All Day, finishing second at 91-1, paid $314.00, producing a $2.00 exacta that returned $1,299.40.