Kass Hall First At Fredericton; Barrieau Wins Five
Kass Hall notched his first Fredericton Raceway victory with a two minute mile in the top class Winners Over Pace on Tuesday evening.
Leaving from post seven in the field scratched down to seven, Kass Hall ($6.60) settled away fourth during a contested :28.4 opening quarter before sweeping to command. The 2-1 second choice maintained a two length lead on his foes as he reached the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:28.4. He then held off Found Wanting to win by a quarter length while Man In Pink finished one and a half lengths behind.
The eight-year-old Blissfull Hall gelding, recently acquired by Saint John owner Dr. Mitchell Downey and trainer-driver Michael Downey, has won at Georgian Downs, Summerside Raceway and now Fredericton in four starts this year.
Fredericton was the 10th track at which Kass Hall has earned a pari-mutuel victory. The well-travelled pacer was also victorious at Grand River Raceway, Harrah's Philadelphia, Oceans Downs, Harrington Raceway, Dover Downs, The Meadows and Indiana Downs during his career.
Tuesday's victory was his 17th lifetime and lifted his bankroll to $161,531.
Leading reinsman Gilles Barrieau dominated the 11-race card as he racked up five victories. Barrieau kicked off the evening with a training-driving sweep of the Daily Double ($3) with J J Bria ($3.20) and Ruby Vance ($3.10). He then scored a natural hat trick aboard the James Smith-trained Meter Leader ($4.80). Brian Embleton trainee Ideal Ticket ($8.30) gave Barrieau his fourth winner on the program in the seventh dash and Hustler Hall ($4.90), conditioned by Gary Wright, carried him down victory lane for the fifth time in the 10th race.
Barrieau's current 0.435 driving average moves him into first place in all of Canada.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Fredericton Raceway.