Back in his home province of New Brunswick and following up a top three finish in the Joe & Jennie Chippin Memorial, Joseph Michael went wire-to-wire to win Saturday afternoon's featured finale at Exhibition Park Raceway.

Driver Todd Trites sent the favourite to the lead from outside his four rivals in the $1,500 Winners Over Pace and reeled off panels of :29.1, :58.4 and 1:28.2 en route to the 1:58.4 triumph over the track rated 'good' with a two second variant. Magical Alex and American Captain followed three and half lengths behind in second and third.

Eric Wilson trains the seven-year-old pacer, who made his 43rd trip to the winner's circle.

Joseph Michael has been racing in Maine for most of the summer and took a new mark of 1:53.3 just prior to the Chippin. He's earned victories in one-third of his 18 starts this year for owners Andrea Dolan of Lower Cambridge, N.B. and Valerie Phelan of Geary, N.B.

Trites had a driving triple on the seven-race card, winning the previous race with Wilson trainee Wave That Banner as well as the opener with Stefan DeCourcey's television star Grimsby.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.