Milton, ON — The 3-year-old trotting fillies started their Ontario Sires Stakes Gold season on Monday (June 6) at Woodbine Mohawk Park, and just like their pacing contemporaries it was an upset win over a heavy favorite.

Saundra won the $125,760 OSS division by 1-1/2 lengths over 1-9 favorite Adare Castle. New Image Media photo.

Saundra, making her OSS debut for trainer Benoit Baillargeon, went off at 19-1 from post seven and won the $125,760 division by 1-1/2 lengths over 1-9 favorite Adare Castle.

“Adare Castle was definitely the horse to beat tonight,” said Baillargeon. “Until we beat her, I didn’t know if I was ever going to beat her, but our mare was sharp tonight.”

Sylvain Filion piloted Saundra into third position as they entered the first turn and trailed an opening panel of :27.3 set by Hang On Baby, with Adare Castle sitting fourth. The daughter of Resolve made her move midway through the backstretch.

“Sylvain got away third, and he wasn’t going to give cover to Adare Castle,” said Baillargeon. “So, when he made his move, he went to the front, and it worked. The mare responded very well.”

Through three-quarters of a mile Saundra led by 1-3/4 lengths. Adare Castle slid behind for cover as the pair entered the stretch, but the Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin homebred was more than game, trotting home in :28 for her first career stakes score in a time of 1:53.2. Adare Castle held on to finish second. Portofino was third.

Saundra is out of World Class Image, who produced R First Class, a trotting gelding who won the OSS Super Final as a 3-year-old in 2017. Baillargeon trained R First Class, and World Class Izzy, an OSS Grassroots winner from the same family.

“Mr. Rankin told me last year that she was a nice mare,” said Baillargeon. “They all have speed, but she has smarts on top of it.”

This was the first OSS start for Saundra, who made her debut in October 2021. She won her first time out, and a leg of the Ontario Sired Harvest Series to post a 2-0-0 record in four starts.

Shane Weber conditioned her last year for Rankin, and he qualified the filly to start her 3-year-old campaign before transitioning her to Baillargeon’s barn.

“That’s the relationship I have with Mr. Rankin,” said Baillargeon. “The boys on the farm start them off, then they come to me. This mare is a very naturally gaited trotter. Shane did a good job with her.”

The first place check pushed Saundra to $108,284 in career earnings.

“She’s a good mare,” said Baillargeon. “There’s another girl in town now.”