Two-time Governor's Plate champion Outlawpositivcharg swept wide around the final turn and charged to victory in the first of two $5,000 eliminations for the 43rd edition of the historic race on Sunday evening at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway
.
Outlawpositivcharg and trainer-driver Terry Gallant got away sixth from Post 7 while As Tuff As Nails (Marc Whebby) let Formal Affair (Mark Bradley) clear to the front before re-taking the lead past the :27.2 opening quarter.
As Tuff As Nails proceeded to the half in :56.3 while Jepson Hanover (Danny Romo) moved underway from third with Outlawpositivcharg moving into the outer flow.
Jepson Hanover went head-to-head with the leader as they neared three-quarters in 1:26, but Gallant sent his charge three-wide and swept to command around the final turn. He kicked home in :28.4 for the season's-best 1:55.2 triumph by three-quarters of a length. Formal Affair finished second over As Tuff As Nails while Jepson Hanover came in fourth to grab the last spot in the final.
Outlawpositivcharg became the first pacer in history to win the Plate twice after scoring in 2008 and 2009 for owner J. Fred Lamont of Calgary, Alta. He finished second to P H Bestman in 2010.
The seven-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding, who is now five-for-nine this season, notched his 40th career win in tonight's elimination and pushed his earnings to $145,312. He paid $9.40 to win as the 7-2 third choice.
Oakmont converted from the pocket to capture the second elimination and joined stablemate Jepson Hanover in the final.
Oakmont and trainer-driver Danny Romo followed Joseph Michael (Todd Trites) through fractions of :28.2, :57.2 and 1:26.2 before pulling the pocket and scooting home to score the 1:55 victory. Joseph Michael finished three-quarters of a length behind in second with favourite Serious Damage (Kenny Arsenault) and Ultimate Success (Leonard Myers) third and fourth.
The four-year-old son of I Am A Fool earned his second win since shipping to the East Coast in May and fourth win of the year in 19 starts for owner Paul Gray of Pugwash, N.S. The victory was No. 10 in his career, lifting his earnings to $158,730. He paid $10 to win as the 4-1 fourth choice.
For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Summerside Raceway.