Woodmere Sandman scored in the evening's feature race on Tuesday at Fredericton Raceway, stopping the clock in 1:59.2 over a track rated a full second off.
Stephen Trites drove the four-year-old son of Western Success to the victory for owners Susan Seymour, Beverley Trites and William Seymour. A productive participant in the Atlantic Sires Stakes program, Woodmere Sandman is facing older horses for the first time in his career.
Trites sat patiently in the early stages of the mile, watching Four Brass Starz and L Ami Just duel in the early going. Woodmere Sandman gained confidence in the late stages of the race, working up on the outside to defeat the front runners. It was the second win of the season for the youngster, scoring for veteran trainer Sheldon Watts.
Reigning Horse of the Year at the capital city oval, Ace On The River earned a sharp victory in 2:01.2. Driver Phillip Hodgson engineered a perfect pocket trip as the six-year-old gave sire Western Success another winning credit on the 11-dash card. Ace On The River, owned and trained by Heather Hathway, successfully handled challenges from Ideal Ticket and Hustler Hall. It was the second straight win for Hodgson who won earlier with Yankee Dancer in 2:04.1.
Dale Spence and Mike Downey also achieved driving doubles. An up-and-coming talent based in Saint John, Spence won with Simka in 2:00.4 and Robert R Robert in 2:00.3. It was the first multiple win night in Spence's young career.
Downey won with a pair of horses owned by his veterinarian son, Dr. Mitchell Downey. Forever Finesse picked up his first win of the season in 2:01.3 and Slim N Sleek in 2:01.3.
Other winners were Contact Jones (Wayne Watson) in 2:02.1, Senona Hanover (Mike Campbell) in 2:03.2, Manraysonjo (Mark Collett) in 2:02, and Chilled Wine (Clark Bustard) in 2:01.3.
To view the results from Fredericton's Tuesday card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Fredericton Raceway.
(HRNB)