Georgian Downs: Illusioneesta repeats in Ontario Sires Stakes

Georgian Downs hosted Ontario Sires Stakes action for 3-year-old trotting fillies on Saturday evening, and Illusioneesta took sole control of top spot in the Gold Series standings with her second straight victory in the provincial program.

Starting from post three in the second C$95,600 Gold division, Illusioneesta and driver Chris Christoforou Jr. employed their usual come-from-behind tactics, getting away in the middle of the pack and allowing Magical Lady to ring up fractions of 28, 59 1/5, and 1:28 4/5 before shifting into high gear and sprinting home to a one length victory in 1:58. Magical Lady settled for second and pocket-sitter Gotta Pay To Play was third.

“That’s what she does. She doesn’t like to go early, she likes to race at the end of it, and that’s where the money is,” said trainer Per Henriksen of the favorite. She’s nice, very nice, and she’s made a pile of money so far this year, and quite a few Golds and the Super Final left, if everything goes right.”

Henriksen conditions Illusioneesta for Harbor Racing Stable LLC. and Asa Farm. Through eight sophomore starts, the Kadabra daughter has tallied four wins and three thirds for earnings of C$191,546.

“And you know, she’s just such a pleasure to be around and doesn’t have any issues or anything,” added Henriksen. “The only thing we’ve got to watch with her is that we don’t feed her too much, because she’d look like a drum if you’d let her.”

With two wins and one second through the first three Gold events Illusioneesta has accumulated 125 points, putting her almost 50 points ahead of the competition with two events remaining.

In the first Gold division, Collateral Beauty earned her first-ever Ontario Sires Stakes victory with a come-from-behind trip that saw her reel in the leaders through the stretch and trot under the wire in 1:58. Apprentice M finished 2 3/4 lengths back in second and Town Hall Justice was third.

“She raced phenomenal for me, I was extremely happy. She’s very nice to drive,” said Rick Zeron, who drove the filly to the win for trainer Herb Holland and owner Carolyn MacIsaac. “She seems to be just getting better and better every week, and I was extremely happy for Herb and Carolyn, because they’re hard-working people and they love their horses.”

The win was the Kadabra daughter’s first through six starts this season and boosts her lifetime earnings to C$79,504. Seventh in the Gold Series season opener, the win also bumped Collateral Beauty up to 52 points, putting her among the top 10 point earners.

--press release (Ontario Sires Stakes)--