Truro Raceway fan favourite American Risk delivered a top class performance for the opening night crowd as the 2025 Nova Scotia harness racing season got underway on Friday, May 9.

Sent postward as the 1-2 bettors' choice in the featured $2,500 Winners Over Pace, American Risk didn't disappoint his fan following as he romped to a 6-3/4-length victory in 1:56.2. 

With Paul Langille aboard for his fourth winning drive on Truro's first 10-race card of the season, American Risk cut opening fractions of :28 and :58 before pulling away from his foes down the backstretch in his nine-year-old debut. The American Ideal-Kissing Bandit gelding hit three-quarters in 1:27.2 and continued to pour it on through the stretch as Saulsbrook Feisty (Kenny Parker Jr.), Truro's 2024 Three-Year-Old Pacing Filly of the Year, advanced into second and chased in vain. Bettor On Than Off (Danny Romo) rounded out the top three finish order.

The Fan Favourite Award winner at the recent Truro Harness Horse Owners Association annual banquet, American Risk is campaigned by perennial leading trainer George Rennison for the local Risky Bizz Group. He notched his 43rd career win and bumped his bankroll to $137,900.    

Langille and Rennison also teamed up for a win with Howmac Powerball ($2.10) in 2:00.2. 

Truro's defending driving champion Darren Crowe also sat behind four winners during the season opener including three of his own trainees, Redland Peaches ($9.90) in 2:01.1, Rockin Corona ($3.10) in 1:58.1 and Freaky Fanny ($2.60) in 1:59.1.

The first horse to grace the winner's circle this meet was Truro newcomer Mcseashore ($11.10), a three-year-old Mcwicked colt who was driven to a 2:01.2 maiden-breaking triumph by Kenny Parker Jr. for the Dave Carey stable.

Live harness racing will resume at Truro on Thursday, May 15 with post time at 6:30 p.m. ADT. Next week's program will feature the Donnie & George Turner Memorial Stakes for Atlantic-foaled three-year-old pacing colts and fillies.

To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Truro Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)