Harvest Claiming Series Commences At Sudbury
This evening Sudbury Downs kicked off its Harvest Claiming Series with three $7,500 divisions.
In the first division, Blue Water and driver Robert Coursol popped the pocket at the three-quarters mark and surged to a seven-length victory in 1:55.4 for trainer and owner Gerry Belanger.
The pacesetter, Cameltoe (Mario Rivest), stayed for second and Ryleys Star (David Dowling) closed well for third.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Water Tower, who has earned over $50,000 this year, picked up his 12th win of the season.
In the second division, Jay Polifroni's Shifty Shadow outsprinted the favoured P L Adder (Mike MacNeill) in the stretch by half a length winning in 1:58 flat. Armbro Dalliance (David Dowling) nabbed the show spot while the pacesetter, Momslilstagecoach (Paul MacLean), faded to sixth.
The five-year-old Albert Albert gelding scored his eighth win of the season bringing his 2008 earnings to over $20,000.
Justin Turcotte's Gems Creek took the final split in 1:57.2 after advancing first-over from third at the half and pulling away by five lengths. The fan favourite, Day Off (Jay Polifroni), finished second and Feisty Nukes (Mike MacNeill) was third.
The five-year-old gelded son of Astreos picked up his sixth seasonal score. This year, he has earned over $35,000 in purses.
In the $10,000 Not Listed Preferred Trot, Terra Cotta Caddy and trainer/driver Allan Hohner rallied from off the pace for a mild 6-1 upset in a clocking of 2:00.4.
The six-year-old gelding got away third from Post 3 as Rebar Man (Pat Barr) laid down fractions of :29.2 and :59.2 with at least three lengths on the field.
Terra Cotta Caddy tipped out as the field rolled past the third quarter station in 1:30.4. As the pacesetter faded, Terra Cotta Caddy took the lead and held off a quick-closing Charlie O Charlie (Jay Polifroni) by a head for the win. Speedy Desperado (Richard Turcotte) closed well for third.
The son of San Pellegrino, who has earned $170,516 in his career, scored his 14th lifetime win for owner Dennis Morrissey of London, Ont.
To view the charted lines from Saturday, click here.