Like Mother, Like
Daughter
Ultimate Cameron, out of the 2002 Elegantimage Stakes
winner Cameron Hall, front-stepped her way to a 1:53.3 stakes record score
in Saturday’s $557,000 Elegantimage Stakes for three-year-old trotting
fillies at Mohawk Racetrack.
Fresh off victories in her Casual Breeze
Stakes division and Elegantimage elimination, Ultimate Cameron and Trevor
Ritchie left from Post 2 and set up shop on the front end. She jumped out to
an early three length lead at the first quarter in :27 before stealing a
:30.1 second quarter breather. The field tightened up as they raced past the
half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:25.2, but no one could catch the
Robert Stewart trainee, who held off the pocket-sitting Emmylou Who (Lyle
MacArthur) and elimination winner, favourite Poof Shes Gone (David Miller),
for the half-length score.
“I felt very good when I saw the half time flash up. I thought with the
way this filly has been racing, she was going to be pretty tough to get by,”
said Ritchie following the win. “She was good and comfortable. She drives
like a sweetheart. She’ll leave hard for you but after that she’ll relax
good and she got a nice little breather.
“You’re never confident when you’re in with a bunch of good fillies. You
never know, there might be something strong coming at you. After the half, I
knew they were going to have to go something to get by her and they were
right at her wheel so they’re some great fillies.”
When asked if his filly had lots left in the tank, Ritchie indicated that
he believes Ultimate Cameron could be even better from off the pace. “Hopefully,
I’ll have the chance to find out sometime down the road. I think you’ll see
better from her.”
Ultimate Cameron paid $5.60 to win as the 3-2 second choice. Undefeated
in three starts this year, the bay filly has banked $333,500 for Diamond
Creek Farm LLC of Paris, Kentucky. Last year’s Breeders Crown runner-up now
sports a record of 4-5-1 in 12 starts with $557,894 earned.
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