by Sandra Snyder, for the Ontario Sires Stakes

Campbellville, ON — After a six-week hiatus in their Ontario Sires Stakes schedule, the talented 2-year-old pacing fillies return to Gold Series action at Mohawk Racetrack on Friday evening, September 14.

Three groups of fillies will vie for a spot in the third C$130,000 Gold Final on their calendar and Jody Jamieson is hoping the consistent Shake That Junk will be around to defend her title.

“She’s done everything we’ve asked her so far,” says the Cambridge resident, who shares ownership on the filly with trainer James Dean and Dr. David Powell of Campbellville, and P and J Stable of Mississauga. “And she’s raced well every time. I don’t think she’s put in one bad start.”

Through seven outings the daughter of Camluck and Diamond Dawn has delivered two wins, one second, three thirds and one fourth for earnings of $141,545. Her victories came in the August 6 Gold Final at Grand River Raceway and a division of the Robert Stewart Stakes at Mohawk on August 12.

Jamieson will pilot Shake That Junk from post one in the third C$39,182 elimination on Friday, and Canada’s leading reinsman says that the draw worked out perfectly for the filly, who has done most of her work from off the pace.

“I’ve been able to hide her in the middle of the race and shake loose at the end,” he explains. “And I can get away wherever I want from there (post one). I can get away fourth or fifth and come with cover, or sit up close.”

In addition to his mount on Shake That Junk, Jamieson will also steer Blair Burgess trainee Lady Of Fortune in the second Gold elimination.

Unfortunately, Lady Of Fortune did not fare as well in the draw, and will make her Ontario Sires Stakes debut from post eight.

“She drew bad, she drew the eight hole,” says Jamieson. “So it’s all the trip now, luck of the draw is out.”

Since making her debut at Georgian Downs on August 11, Lady Of Fortune has recorded three fifth-place finishes and one victory for owner-breeders Brittany Farms of Versailles, Ky. The Camluck miss sprinted home a 1:55.3 winner at Mohawk on September 10 to earn her first shot at the Gold Series fillies.

“We talked about it last night, Blair and I, and Myron Bell,” says Jamieson. “We all agreed that she has a lot of potential. She’s a small filly, but she is good gaited and has a bit of desire.”

While Jamieson is not sure if Lady Of Fortune is ready to pace as fast as some of her peers did in the track record equaling Champlain Stakes divisions on September 7, he believes she could still evolve into a player on the competitive Gold Series circuit.

Like Shake That Junk, Lady Of Fortune will need a top three finish to advance through to next Saturday’s C$130,000 Gold Final. Only the top three finishers from each elimination, plus one fourth-place finisher drawn by lot, will earn a return invitation to the September 22 Final.

Friday’s program begins at 7:20 p.m., with the 2-year-old pacing fillies competing around the Mohawk Racetrack oval in races two, four, and six.