In what was the eighth and final preliminary of the
year-long series, Devaux now is eligible to compete in the All America
Cup which will feature the winning drivers of each leg.
Usually a pacing event this year trotters filled the entry
box and director of racing, Eric Warner, put together a competitive event.
When the gate sprung three horses, Tornado Alley (Jacques
Primeau); Consulate (Jimmy Doherty, Jr.; and Jobo Da’Shabra (John Gilmour),
went for the lead but on the first turn Consulate, one of the favorites, went
off stride but landed quickly and they challenged Primeau’s trotter
for the lead.
Meanwhile Jobo Da’Shabra and Gilmour found room
between horses going to the quarter and they swept to the front before
the second turn.
From there Jobo Da’Shabra showed the way by the half
and when the field straightened up the backside Jimmy Devaux moved
the eventual winner, Gate Keeper, three-deep and they swept to the lead
and opened up three lengths on the final turn. When they straightened in the
lane only the margin of victory was in doubt as Gate Keeper cruised home an
easy 5 length winner.
“Before the race I thought we had a good chance to win it
and things worked out in our favor when Doughery’s horse made a brake on the
(first) turn and Gilmour had use his trotter hard to make the front,”
Devaux related after his driving victory.
“I had a covered trip until I tipped him (Gate Keeper) going
to the three quarters and when I did he shot by everyone and we worked
out an easy victory.”
Oddly, Gate Keeper, the winner of the race for drivers of
Canadian heritage , is owned by a Canadian, Robert Bourgeon of Levack,
Ont. Gate Keeper paid $7.40 for win.
Now the field for the series finale, the All-America Cup, is
set. Besides Devaux, others who are eligible to compete include: Bobby
Williams, Jr. (Dr. Martin Luther King Pace); Lisa Krom (Lady Godiva Pace);
Jimmy Taggart, Jr. ( St. Paddy Pace); Alan Charles (Passover Pace); Mike
Merton (Munich Mile) and Mike Forte (Godfather Pace) and Zeke Parker (Mayflower
Mile).
The All America Cup is slated for mid-November . Should any
of the drivers who won their preliminary leg not be able to compete the
driver of the second place finisher in that race will become eligible for the
finale.
