Flamboro Downs: Confederation Cup eliminations taken by Western Fame, Sintra

Check Six and Sintra were sent off at 1-9 in their respective C$20,000 Confederation Cup eliminations for 4-year-old male pacers Sunday evening at Flamboro Downs, but only Sintra would get a win, as Check Six was topped by Western Fame.

In the first elimination Check Six (Yannick Gingras) wound up parked first-over from past the opening quarter after starting from the outside post six, but in the stretch, despite the tough trip, he forged his way past pace-setter Mr. Wiggle Pants (Doug McNair), who showed the way through fractions of 27, 56 2/5, and 1:23 4/5. Western Fame (Trevor Henry) tracked Check Six from second-over, though, and he was able to rally past the public choice late, winning by a head in 1:52 4/5. Mr. Wiggle Pants held third, followed by Dr. J Hanover (James MacDonald) and Magnum J (Jody Jamieson). Following a draw after the second elimination, Magnum J would be the fifth-place finisher to advance to the final.

Western Fame is a son of Western Ideal trained by Jimmy Takter for owner-breeder Brittany Farms. This was his eighth career victory, and he has now earned C$485,174. Sent off as the 8-1 fourth choice, Western Fame paid $19.60 to win.

The other elimination saw Roll Away Joe (Gingras) on point through panels of 28, 57 2/5, and 1:25, but Sintra (Jody Jamieson) surged into the lead in the lane after following Seeley Man (MacDonald) from second-over, and Sintra would pull away with every stride on his way to a 2 1/2 length decision in 1:52 4/5. Seeley Man got the nod over Roll Away Joe in the photo for second, and Stonebridge Beach (Stephane Pouliot) collected fourth and a spot in the final.

Dave Menary trains Sintra, a Mach Three gelding, for his Menary Racing Inc., Brad Gray, and Michael Guerriero. He is now an 11-time winner in his career, and he shows a bankroll of C$352,150. He returned $2.20 to win.

An open draw was conducted after the eliminations for next Sunday's $176,000 final, and here is how the field will line up:

1-Magnum J
2-Roll Away Joe
3-Seeley Man
4-Western Fame
5-Stonebridge Beach
6-Check Six
7-Mr. Wiggle Pants
8-Sintra
9-Dr. J Hanover
AE-First Car