In the first division, Rachel Welch, driven by Mike Saftic, used a ground saving trip en route to victory in 1:52.3.
Saftic settled Rachel Welch away in third in the early going as Douknowwhereurgoin (Sylvain Filion) crossed to command at the quarter in :27.1. Heading towards the midway point, I Got To Boogie (Doug McNair) pocket-pulled and regained the lead well before the half in :56.2. Filion elected to move Douknowwhereurgoin out of the two hole before three-quarters in 1:25.1, which allowed Rachel Welch to continue to save ground up the pylons.
Down the stretch, Douknowwhereurgoin and I Got To Boogie were strides apart, but both were tiring as they were used hard in the early stages of the mile. Rachel Welch was able to gather up all the pieces in deep stretch to celebrate her second career win. Solid Queen (Scott Zeron) came from off the pace to finish second with I Got To Boogie third.
Trained and owned by Jack Darling, Rachel Welch increased her bankroll to $62,125. She paid a handsome $28.30 to win.
After finishing second in the first leg last week, Request For Parole redeemed herself with a victory in the latter division.
Driven by Randy Waples, the daughter ofBadlands Hanover crossed to command at the quarter in :27.1. Heading towards the half, Somewhereinheaven (Jack Moiseyev) angled out from third and took over command to lead past the half in :56 and three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Turning for home, Waples was able to evacuate the pocket as he showed Request For Parole open road. The two-time winner responded with a :27.3 final quarter to wear down Somewhereinheaven and fend off all challengers in 1:52. Somewhereinheaven stayed for second, over Graphene (Doug McNair).
Trained by Normand Bardier, Jr. for owner Richard Berthiaume, Request For Parole’s bankroll now sits at $22,190. She paid $3.40 to win.
The C$40,000 (est.) final is slated for Thursday (July 25).