Lenny Briscoe doubled up in the Robert Simpson Claiming Series for claiming pacers, which continued on Saturday night at Georgian Downs
with three $6,000 second leg divisions.
Lenny Briscoe ($9.40) and driver Aaron Byron captured the first division off a second over trip in a career-best 1:55.3. The five-year-old son of D M Dilinger-If You Dare held off Hardball (Robert Shepherd) by a half-length for his sixth victory in 39 seasonal starts. Western Diamond (Tony Kerwood) closed from the back of the pack to show. Lenny Briscoe was trained by Jeff Byron for owner Jason Byron of Campbellville, Ont., but will now move into the care of Norman Greenfield of Brantford, Ont. after being claimed for $6,000. The gelding’s earnings stand at $28,793 for 2010.
After finishing fourth in the opening round, Hbfs Power Play ($4.30) went gate-to-wire to win his second leg division in 1:55.3 by three lengths for driver Stephen Byron, trainer John Janes and owner David Gage of Brantford, Ont. Rene Allard pupils M G Energik (Anthony Macdonald) and Listen Hanover (Simon Allard) rounded out the top three. The nine-year-old Native Born-O J Almahurst gelding, a winner of 12 races in 29 starts this year and $32,549, was claimed for $6,000 by Isaac Waxman of Dundas, Ont.
The final division went to Midnight Horizon ($6.40) and Simon Allard, who advanced first up from fourth past the three-quarters mark and opened up four and a half lengths on the field. The three-year-old son of Astreos-Countryview Miss, who finished third in the opening round, then cruised to the wire in 1:56.2 with first leg winner Uncle Josh (Paul MacKenzie) coming on to finish a length and a half behind in second. Newton Angus (Tony Kerwood) was third. Trainer Rene Allard shares ownership of Midnight Horizon, a winner of seven races in 28 starts and $41,666 this year, with Gilles Fleury of Mascouche, Que.
To view Saturday's results, click here.