Organizers behind the ‘Truro vs. Ontario – Best of the Best Team Showdown,’ which took place on Sunday (July 23) at Truro Raceway, have informed Trot Insider that the challenge came down to the wire, but when the dust settled it was ‘Team Truro’ that pulled out a narrow victory.
Ontario-based drivers Carl Jamieson, Paul MacDonell, Mike Saftic and Rick Zeron – aka ‘Team Ontario’ – battled Dave Carey, Clare MacDonald, ‘Pooker’ McCallum and Danny Romo – ‘Team Truro’ – this coming Sunday (July 23) during the ‘Truro vs. Ontario – Best of the Best Team Showdown’ over the Bible Hill, NS oval.
Prior to the showdown, Trot Insider was told by organizers that points would be rewarded for all finishing positions during the selected showdown races – so whether a driver finished first or eighth, they received a point for their respective teams. In the case of a horse being scratched, the driver on the horse in question would also receive a point. At the end of the competition, the team that accumulated the most points would be determined the winner of the showdown.
The showdown began in Race 2 and saw Team Ontario’s Mike Saftic notch a three-quarters of one-length victory with Eye Forty Seven in 2:01.1. The nine-year-old P Forty Seven gelding is owned and trained by Roy Burton of Truro, NS. The win was the first of Eye Forty Seven’s 2017 campaign.
Race 3 saw Team Truro's Danny Romo and SF Razamatazz cross the wire first in 1:56.4 for trainer Mark Whidden, who co-owns along with Barry Whidden of Truro. Romo and SF Razamatazz posted the fastest mile time in the Team Showdown. Rounding out the triactor in Race 3 were Team Ontario's Mike Saftic (with NS Acadian) and Rick Zeron (A Regal Beauty).
Rick Zeron takes a quick look over at the Truro Raceway tote board on Sunday, July 23, 2017 (Image courtesy Twitter / Truro Raceway)
The teams were tied heading into the third leg (Race 4) of the showdown, which saw Team Ontario' Rick Zeron secure another win for the invaders. Zeron scored his lone win of the day with Jamie Ramsey trainee N Expense, who recorded a gate-to-wire victory in 2:00.1.
Team Ontario led Team Truro by two points heading into the final leg of the showdown (Race 6), but it was Team Truro that finished strong.
Team Ontario member Paul MacDonell won the final leg with Prince Adam in 2:00 for Kurt Harper, who trains for his co-owner Carrie Saunders. Team Truro drivers secured the second, third, and fourth-place finishes in the dash, which gave them a 74-70 win over Team Ontario.
Organizers with the event told Trot Insider that attendance was great for the afternoon’s card of racing, which saw race fans line the fence along the homestretch to watch the show that the drivers were putting on. Drivers were presented with gifts of appreciation from Joe Nicholson, the manager of the NSPEC Complex. Drivers mingled with fans after the showdown, as they signed autographs and took photos with racegoers. The drivers attended an appreciation BBQ after the races where horsemen and fans had the chance to interact with drivers again, which produced another great turn out.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Truro, click the following link: Sunday Results – Truro Raceway.