Astronomical summoned up all his back class and won the first elimination of the Governor’s Plate in 1:56.4 on Sunday afternoon in front of a packed house

at the new Summerside Raceway.

With Kenny Arsenault at the controls, Astronomical sat a two-hole trip to the quarter pole behind Take The Risk , who laid down an opening panel clocked in :27.2. Arsenault hustled his charge to the lead shortly past the first marker, and the seven-year-old son of Astreos-Hey Girl proceeded to kick out middle splits of :57.2 and 1:26.4 before stepping home in 30 seconds for the 1:56.4 decision.

Porthill Alf, who was first-over for most of the mile, finished second and Scotian Sunset rallied to pick up the show dough. Take The Risk, who finished fourth, will also advance to next Saturday’s 41st edition of the Governor’s Plate.
Astronomical, who won for the 39th time in his career, is owned by RG McGroup Ltd., William Shearer and trainer Dr. Ian Moore. The victory bumped his overall bankroll to $763,808.

In other Sunday action, KG Affair won the Open Mares elimination for 1:58.3 for trainer/driver Terry Gallant and owner Fred Lamont of Calgary, Alberta. The six-year-old daughter of Grinfromeartoear sped through splits of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:29 before finishing off her foes with a :29.3 final quarter. Maddie G was second, third went to Whitesand Whisper and Kaitlyn Rose rounded out the top four finishers.

KG Affair now boasts a 2-2-1 record in her first nine starts of the season, and the lion’s share of the purse lifted her lifetime earnings to $53,307.

The second eliminations of the Governor’s Plate and the Mares Late Closer goes Monday night at Summerside Raceway. Post time for the first race is 5:30 p.m.

To view Sunday’s harness racing results, click here.