Atlantic Sires Stakes colts put on an impressive show at Inverness Raceway on Sunday afternoon as the three-year-old pacers took to the local oval to compete in five divisions.
Touch Of Thunder took first-place honours in his $7,040 'A' division, crossing the finish line in a career-best 1:59.3 with Brodie MacPhee in the bike for trainer Earl Smith. The ownership papers for the Articulator-Sugar Booger colt are held by Prince Edward Island's Peter Smith, Don Smith, Gerald Morrissey and Larry Chappell. The event also saw a three-way dead-heat for second-place with Mr Vaive, Super S Yzerman and Just A Professor crossing the finish line in unison.
The second 'A' division of the afternoon race card went to Maritime Breeders champion Arties Magic and driver Todd Trites in a career-best equalling time of 1:57.3. The Articulator-Drop Of Magic colt defeated last season's divisional champion Dumas Walker and Hollywoodgigolo. He is trained by Earl Watts for Prince Edward Island breeder Windemere Farms and co-owner Clive Balderston of New Brunswick.
Rancousy and trainer/driver Darren Crowe captured the third 'A' division in a new mark of 1:57.3 for owner Donald Charles Smith of Brookside, N.S. The Western Paradise-Too Spicy For You colt was followed under the wire by Woodmere Rondevous and Island Gigolo.
Meanwhile, the first $2,500 'B' division of the afternoon went to Post Haste (Ameripan Gigolo-Post A Smile) in 2:02.3 for trainer, driver and owner Angelo Camilli of Sydney, N.S. Locky (Western Paradise-Rappin Rhonda) and trainer/driver Redmond Doucet crossed the finish line first in their 'B' division in a career-best 1:59.3 for owner/breeder Lennan MacIsaac of Inverness, N.S.
Driver Doucet capped off a five-win performance on Sunday afternoon with another one of his own trainees as Salute edged out Schooner in the $1,500 top pacing class. The nine-year-old gelding prevailed by a nose in 1:59.3 for the Ruth Shannon Stable of Port Hawkesbury, N.S.
Doucet also scored with Eloquent Desire in 2:01.3, providing local trainer Erland Campbell with his first career win. Doucet's other winners were Phyllis Mac for Robert MacLeod and Private Practise for Stanley Harper Jr.
Atlantic Sires Stakes action returns to Cape Breton Island on Saturday when the three-year-old pacing colts and fillies meet for racing action at Northside Downs in North Sydney, N.S. First race post time at Northside Downs on Saturday is 1 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Inverness Raceway.
(With files from Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association)