Sophomore pacing colts and geldings took center stage at Northside Downs on Saturday afternoon in a trio of Atlantic Sires Stakes divisions

.

Last season’s Atlantic Breeders Crown champion returned to his winning ways on Saturday scoring his first Atlantic Sires Stakes victory of the year. Leaving from the inside post position in the first of two $10,280 ‘A’ divisions, Pictonians Souwest and driver Mike Stevenson carved out fractions of :29.4, 1:00.3 and 1:30.1 en route to a 1:59 triumph over an off track. Favourite Putnams Power (Danny Romo) finished one and a quarter lengths behind off a pocket trip and recent Maritime Breeders champion Putnams Art (Bernard McCallum) advanced first over to show.

Pictonians Souwest paid $8.90 to win as the 3-1 third choice. Wayne Bell trains and Daniel Ross of Belfast, P.E.I. owns the Western Paradise-Southview Sasha gelding, who is two-for-five this year and has yet to finish out of the money banking $11,137. His ninth career win boosted his lifetime bankroll to $47,636.

In the second split, Windemere Express and driver Shane Bernard left from Post 4 and cruised past panels of :29.4 and 1:01.1 before facing pressure from first over challenger Howdidchado (Terry Gallant) at three-quarters in 1:31.1. The Harrods-Michelles Wish colt gave way briefly to that rival but fought back with a :28.3 final frame to score in 1:59.4 by two and a half lengths. Favourite Bonnys Mac (Clare MacDonald) finished third.

Windemere Express paid $8.90 to win as the 3-1 second choice. Earl Watts trains the colt, who is four-for-six this season with $8,657 earned for Windemere Farms of North Wiltshire, P.E.I. The win was his sixth lifetime and lifted his bankroll to $14,285.

In the lone $2,500 ‘B’ division, Maritimer and driver Clare MacDonald rallied from the backfield with a :29.4 final frame only to be beaten by a nose by Liams Legacy (Myles Heffernan) in 2:00.3. However, the Full Scholarship-Country Chill colt inherited the victory after the judge’s set back Liams Legacy for causing interference. Favourite Bold Harrods (Earl Smith) finished third.

George Rennison trains Maritimer for Barbara Pearl of Hants Co, N.S. After winning his only start as a freshman, Maritimer earned his first win in four sophomore starts this afternoon. He paid $10.10 to win as the 4-1 second choice.

In regular racing action, Greg Bailey’s Lifes Win converted from the pocket to score a 2:01.2 triumph in the $1,000 Open Pace over a track downgraded to sloppy and rated three seconds slow. The 10-year-old son of Life Sign-My Brown Sugar won by a length and a quarter over Accelerated Putnam (Shawn Lynk) and favourite Cruisinart (Myles Heffernan).

The victory was his third in a row and fourth of the season from eight starts. The 32-time career winner lifted his lifetime earnings to $103,973. He paid $9.10 to win as the 7-2 second choice.

For results from Saturday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results – Northside Downs.