A compact field of six contested the opening leg of the Sharpes Series for horse and gelding trotters Saturday evening at Georgian Downs, and despite a tough trip it was The Magic Of Life coming away victorious in 1:59.

Asked to do the first-over work by trainer/driver Robbie Robinson, The Magic Of Life simply dug down deep and wound up drawing clear to win by 1-3/4 lengths over Darlington Hall. Debt Collector, who threw down first-half fractions of :29 and :59.2, weakened late and settled for third prize in the $6,500 affair.

Sent off at odds of 1-9, the three-year-old son of Royalty For Life-Magic Factory won for the second time in four attempts this season for Robinson and partner Jacqueline Dinelle.

Trainer Patrick Shepherd had a productive evening at the office thanks to his three-win performance on the 10-race card.

Veteran pacer Casimir Overdrive gave the stable its first win thanks to his 1:55.1 triumph in Race 3, and stablemates Legendary Ron (1:55.4 – Race 5) and Oceanview Magnum (1:53.3 – Race 8) scored later on the card to complete the Shepherd hat trick.

To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Georgian Downs.