Zambuca Gass was a gate-to-wire winner for his owner-trainer-driver Reg Gassien in the first $12,000 Slots Cup division.

After using his rail post to gain early command, "The Gass Man" guided his grey gelding through fractions of :27.1, :57.2 and 1:25.1. With a closing quarter of :29.2, Zambuca Gass had enough gas left in his tank to hold off Astreos Flas (Larry Small) by three parts of a length in 1:54.3 with Village Blast (Scott Coulter) another length back in third.

The time of the mile, a new lifetime mark for Zambuca Gass (Rambaran - Lady Misty), was just two-fifths of a second off Magical Gg's track record for aged pacers.

The second division was not as close, as Phil Lucky and driver Bruce Richardson hit the wire six and a half lengths ahead of their closest rivals in 1:55.4.

Richardson allowed Barbrasboy (Stuart Sowerby) to lead to the field to the :28.2 opening split before sensing the the pace had slowed too much and pulled from the pocket to take command. From there, Phil Lucky paced strongly through fractions of :58.3 and 1:26.4 before tacking on a :29 closer to hit the wire with a comfortable margin of victory over

Lightning Luck (Terry Fritz) and Oakley Seelster (John Kennedy).

The win was one of five on the card for Richardson, who also scored in Race 1 with Trot 4 Kids subject Cam From The West, and with Deliteful Dolphin in Race 6 before sweeping races 9 through 11 aboard Keystone Samurai, Phil Lucky and Sauble Jackson.

Trainer Jim Ainsworth co-owns four-year-old Phil Lucky (Mach Three - Joanalina) with Bill Boden of Vancouver, BC.

The Slots Cup Series features preliminary legs at five different tracks prior to the final. Here is the remainder of the schedule:

Leg 3: Clinton Raceway – July 20

Leg 4: Georgian Downs – July 26

Leg 5: Grand River Raceway – August 22

Final: Hiawatha Horse Park – August 30

The preliminary legs will feature purses of $12,000/division and the final will race for an estimated purse of $100,000.

Hanover drew the names of its winners who will head by Platinum Limousine to the Slots Cup final. Congratulations to Merry Francis of Hanover, Ruth Grein-Boxberger of Ayton and Mark Bastin of Neustadt who all won this ultimate red carpet experience which includes a limo trip to Sarnia with overnight accommodation in an executive suite, dinner, cash and more!

For the lines from Hanover's Saturday card, click here.

(with files from Hanover)