With time quickly running out on the 2009 season, Adam T broke through for his first win of the campaign on Tuesday in the first of two $15,000 Preferred Trots
at Georgian Downs And what made the victory even more impressive was the way he won.
In rein to his trainer, Shane Weber, Adam T survived a first-over journey to secure his first win of the season in six trips behind the starting gate.
Weber tucked the seven-year-old son of Angus Hall into the three-hole as the field marched into the opening turn, while heavily favoured Kashas Kid brushed to the lead and marched past the opening stanza in :28.1. That front-stepper whizzed past the mid-way point in :57.1, with Weber and Adam T in hot pursuit in the express lane.
A mere half-length margin separated those two at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.1, but Adam T only needed a final quarter clocking of :30.2 to deliver the knockout punch to the pacesetter and the rest of the field. The Weber-trained trotter had a little more than a length to spare when he hit the finish line in a time of 1:56.3. Foto, who enjoyed a pocket trip throughout, rallied to grab second with Kashas Kid fading late to finish third.
Tom and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catherines, ON bred and own Adam T, who won for the 14th time in his career. The charismatic square gaiter has banked more than $433,000 to date.
The other $15,000 Preferred Trot went to Brad Grant’s Sand Wyndham in 1:57.1. Sent off as the fourth choice in the wagering, the four-year-old son of Pegasus Spur rallied to his fifth win of the campaign for the duo of driver Tom Strauss and trainer Ben Wallace.
Strauss was in no hurry with Sand Wyndham, who slid into the five-hole from his pole position starting spot. Mystic Conquest and Kan Wire exchanged punches to the quarter pole in :28.4 before the former cleared to the lead. Famous Mark, who was third and parked past the opening panel, muscled his way to the lead as the field passed in front of the grandstand and he proceeded to lead the group to the mid-way point in :57.4.
Bank President was up to engage Famous Mark in the backstretch, and they were stride-for-stride at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1 with Strauss and Sand Wyndham ready to strike from second over. A :29.3 final quarter was more than enough for Sand Wyndham to blow by the leaders en route to posting the 1:57.1 decision. It was more than two lengths back to runner-up The Principle and Mystic Conquest, who was third.
With the victory, Sand Wyndham improved his 2009 record to 5-4-4 in 24 trips postward. The 14-time winner went over the $100,000 mark in seasonal earnings with the win, while his lifetime bankroll climbed to $175,420.
To view Tuesday’s results, click here.