A trio of winning sophomore pacers assisted trainer Murray Brethour in taking over the top spot in the 2012 standings at Kawartha Downs on Saturday afternoon

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Brethour took the lead in the trainers standings after three of his four starters turned in winning efforts during the 10-race card. He now holds a two-win lead over Laura Winacott at Kawartha.

The Sunderland, Ont. horseman was in the bike for his first win of the day with filly Mach A Wish ($3.30), who romped to a 10 and three-quarter length maiden-breaking triumph in 1:59.1 in the third race. Machinst ($7.50), driven by Brad Rae, kept his career record perfect for Brethour with his second straight winning effort in 1:56.4 in the fifth race. Two races later, Rae drove Twickenham ($16.80) to a narrow 1:57.2 victory, the pacer's fourth in 20 races lifetime.

Brethour, who has put together three consecutive million-dollar seasons from 2009-2011, now boasts 1,022 wins on his lifetime record and is closing in on $10.5 million in purse earnings. The conditioner has seven wins and nearly $65,000 banked so far in 2012.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.