Driver Jason Hughes completed a near sweep of the stakes action Monday, July 2 at Exhibition Park Raceway by winning three of the four featured events on the eight-race matinee.
Despite breaking at the start, Carlisimo, driven by Hughes, took control of the pace and wired his competition in the $6,852 Milton Downey Memorial for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers. The frosh Kevin Maclean trainee by Shadow Play withstood pressure from Mrs Browns Boy parked out the mile, posting splits of :29.2, 1:02 and 1:32 in progress to a 2:02.1 victory over Mrs Brown Boy by two lengths. Fern Hill Dynamic, off a pocket trip, finished third.
Owned by Reginald Mac Pherson, Carlisimo won in his first start of his career, paying $7.60 to win.
Hughes doubled up with a blowout performance in the $5,000 Walter Dale Memorial Pace, winning with race-favourite Mr Irresistible by seven lengths in 1:56.2.
Away third at the quarter, Mr Irresistible stalked a :27 opening quarter set by Instant Shadow then moved first over heading to the half. Timed in :57.2, Mr Irresistible stuck a half length in front of the temposetter passing three-quarters in 1:26.3 and then opened up a wide margin through the lane. Jackson K Down, who tracked the winner’s cover, chased in second while Instant Shadow held third.
Mr Irresistible returned $4.20 to win. The six-year-old Mister Big stallion competes for owner Danny Birt and trainer Jennifer Doyle.
Doyle and Hughes also teamed up to win the $2,000 Canada Day Pace with Winter Blast, the odds-on favourite who wired his four rivals in 1:57. Danny Birt owns the six-year-old Sand Shooter gelding who paid $2.40 to win.
So Much More snagged the $6,852 Milton Downey Memorial for two-year-old filly pacers in wire-to-wire fashion as the favourite in 2:02.1.
Driver Mark Bradley sent the daughter of Big Jim to the lead and posted fractions of :29.2, 1:01.1 and 1:31.3 while unfazed on the lead. Gentle Warrior, sitting the pocket, lost stride rounding the final turn, interfering with Lady N Paradise and first-over Im A Miracle while also opening a five-length gap between them and the pacesetter. So Much More finished four-and-a-half lengths in front of Lady N Paradise rallying for second while Im A Miracle held third.
Owned by Doug Mac Phee, So Much More paid $4.50 to win. The Tom Weatherbie trainee won in her first start of the season.
Replays from all of Monday's races are available in the following video:
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results – Exhibition Park Raceway.