This year’s Robert Simpson Claiming Series kicked off on Saturday night at Georgian Downs with Xtreme Sprint Series champion Countyline Cam grabbing one of the five divisions worth $5,000
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Uncle Josh ($7.70), a runner-up in Kawartha Downs’ Just For The Boys Series, rallied off second over cover to win the opening division in 1:55. Ceiba De Chakrika (Scott Coulter) finished two and a half lengths behind in second and the slight favourite, Midnight Horizon (Simon Allard), was back in third. The four-year-old son of Yankee Cruiser-Amys Cedar was driven to victory by Paul MacKenzie, who celebrated career win No. 7,000 earlier this afternoon at Flamboro Downs. Peter Marostega trains Uncle Josh, who notched his first win of the season in 37 starts, for owner Terry Hunter of Troy, Ont.
Yankee Allstar ($11.80) survived a long first over journey to win his split in 1:56.3. The six-year-old son of Albert Albert-Yankee Georgiana, driven by Todd Ratchford, prevailed by over two lengths ahead of the popular pacesetter Bumblebee Road (Paul MacKenzie) and Listen Hanover (Simon Allard). The winner of six races in 20 starts this year, owned and trained by Richard Leblanc of Rockwood, Ont., was claimed by Allan Tracey of Coldwater, Ont. for $5,000.
Driver Aaron Byron worked out a perfect second over trip aboard Lenny Briscoe ($27.00) to upset the third division in 1:56.1. Sale As Is (Scott Zeron) finished second with broken equipment and Fall In Place (Simon Allard) was third. Jeff Byron trains the five-year-old son of D M Dilinger-If You Dare, a winner of five races in 38 seasonal starts, for Jason Ryan of Cambridge, Ont.
After celebrating a milestone of his own earlier today at Flamboro Downs, Scott Zeron picked up a win in the series at Georgian aboard favourite Kendal Accolade ($4.70), who rallied from the backfield to take his division in 1:57.3. Bonnie Goit trains and owns the seven-year-old son of Strong Clan-R G Haraka with William Dennis McCleary of Caledonia, Ont. Toms Shark (Simon Allard) finished over a length behind in second and Torrent Seelster (Tony Kerwood) was third. The win was Kendal Accolade's fifth in 36 starts this year.
Byron doubled up in the series with Xtreme Sprint Series champion Countyline Cam ($6.50), who went wire-to-wire to win the final division in 1:56. Favourite Western Diamond (Paul MacKenzie) finished two and a half lengths behind in second and M G Energik (Simon Allard) was third. Trained by Mike Sinclair for owner Ron Chevrier of Chelmsford, Ont., the five-year-old son of Cambest-Amber Taaka picked up his fifth win in 32 starts this year but was claimed for $5,000.
To view Saturday's results, click here.