Mohawk: Ariana G, Dream Together take Elegantimage eliminations

The stage is now set for the Elegantimage final for sophomore trotting fillies next Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack after Ariana G and Dream Together took top honors in the pair of C$35,000 eliminations on Saturday night.

Driven by Yannick Gingras, Ariana G watched from fifth as Sweet Of My Heart (Jody Jamieson) zipped to the lead and chopped out the first fraction in 27 2/5. Ariana G would begin a methodical first-over move at the 56 3/5 half, and by the time the 1:25 4/5 three-quarters went on the board, Ariana G had overhauled Sweet Of My Heart and was the new leader. From there, it was all Ariana G as she kicked on to win by 4 3/4 lengths in 1:53 2/5, with Magic Presto (Trevor Henry), On A Sunny Day (Sylvain Filion), Lady Grey (Paul MacDonell), and Sweet Of My Heart also moving on to the final.

"Last week she was very good (winning the Simcoe), but I think tonight she was vicious," offered Gingras. "I came down on Jody, and she felt so strong. At the top of the stretch I just asked her a little bit and she hit another gear. She's an incredible filly."

Jimmy Takter trains the daughter of Muscle Hill for owners/breeders Al Libfeld and Marvin Katz. Ariana G, who paid $2.10 to win as the 1-9 favorite, has now won 17 of 21 career starts, and she has earned C$1,449,272.

In the other elimination, Gingras and Takter looked to connect again with Feed Your Head, and she had control through stations of 27 2/5, 57 2/5, and 1:25 4/5, with stable-mate and favorite Thats All Moni (Tim Tetrick) in the pocket. Thats All Moni would go on a break just past three-quarters, though, leaving Feed Your Head with a sizeable advantage racing into the lane.

Dream Together (Dan Dube), who had sat third and then improved to second when Thats All Moni broke, found her best stride in the last eighth, though, and she would track down Feed Your Head to win by two lengths in a career-best 1:53 3/5. Feed Your Head had to settle for second, with Winter Sweet Frost (Doug McNair), Glitzey Gal (David Miller) and Dream Baby Dream (Rod Allen) also securing positions in the final.

"I got away third, could move her late, and she reponded good," said Dube. "In the Hambletonian Oaks I left and moved first-over, and she raced really good. Now she finally got a better trip, and she raced good."

Another filly by Muscle Hill, Dream Together is trained by Luc Blais for owner Determination. Dream Together is now a six-time winner in her life, and she has banked C$230,934. Dream Together was sent off at 3-1 and returned $8.30 to win.

The fillies will line up in their C$385,000 final next Saturday night as follows:

1. Winter Sweet Frost
2. Lady Grey
3. Dream Together
4. Ariana G
5. Sweet Of My Heart
6. Glitzey Gal
7. Magic Presto
8. Feed Your Head
9. Dream Baby Dream
10. On A Sunny Day
AE: Mrstery Bear