Fusion’s second win in the Woodbine Mohawk Park $44,000 Open Pace provided far more tension than the first as the gelding defended a tenuous advantage through the last eighth of a mile for a scintillating victory on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Like his first top-class score a week ago, Fusion hustled along the rim through the first quarter, reaching the top just after passing the opening station in :26.1, and driver Mark MacDonald commanded a sharp tempo to the half in :53.4. With Its Saturday Night (Daryl Thiessen) encroaching first-over on the far bend, Fusion sprinted past three-quarters in 1:21.3 and was under a drive at the top of the lane.

Its Saturday Night chipped away, Dont Drop The Ball (Jody Jamieson) lurked at the pylons and Dalton Shard N (Tyler Borth) accelerated off cover with Jordy N (J.R. Plante) launching off his back. Fusion, Its Saturday Night and Dalton Shard N converged in the last metres as the latter two produced their final lunges, but Fusion reached the line with his head in front to triumph in 1:48.3. Its Saturday Night got the benefit of the place photo over Dalton Shard N, while Jordy N missed by three-quarters of a length in the four-across finish.

Fusion is now three-for-three since entering the barn of trainer Dean Nixon, bringing his seasonal card to five-for-21. The four-year-old son of Always B Miki-Pure Country, owned by Greg Luther Racing LLC of Blacklick, Ohio, has won 14 of his 42 lifetime starts and earned $569,367. He paid $3.90 to win.

To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park.

(Standardbred Canada)