Clare MacDonald trainees finished 1-2 with the streaking West River Ambyr leading the way across the finish line in Saturday's $9,302 Nova Scotia Stake for three-year-old pacing fillies, co-sponsored by Standardbred Canada, at Northside Downs.

West River Ambyr and Clare MacDonald were on top at every pole (:27.3, :57.1, 1:27.3) despite challenges from Paradise Paradox throughout. Western River Ambyr prevailed in 1:58.4 with stablemate Maudail Mac and Ken MacDonald coming on for second, finishing one and a half lengths behind. Paradise Paradox faded to third while eventual breaker Nikes Cowgirl was a non-threatening fourth in the short field.

The win was West River Ambyr's third (consecutive) from seven starts this year and eighth overall, pushing her career earnings to 56,386. Clare MacDonald co-owns the homebred Brandons Cowboy-West River Rosie filly with her daughter Haley.

Driven by Ryan Campbell for trainer Kevin MacLean, Pictonian Calypso was dominant winner in the $9,115 division for two-year-old pacing colts, drawing away from his competition by nine lengths and stopping the clock in 2:01.2. Fern Hill Breeze finished second with mid-race breaker Pictonian Spartan and Big Joe Doby completing the field.

Rebounding from a break in stride in his last start in the Callbeck Stakes at Summerside Raceway, the Western Paradise-Tequila Seelster colt broke his maiden in his fourth attempt for owners Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I., Dr Ian Moore of Guelph, Ont., and William Shearer of Brookfield, N.S. Bred by Tony Zuethoff of Pictou, N.S., Pictonian Calypso was purchased for $7,000 at the Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale.

In regular racing action, Lawrence Snow enjoyed a training triple on the 11-race card, while the William Seymour stable's Putnams Power (Harold Leblanc Jr.) and J N J (Roddy Cory Hurley) were just a neck apart at the wire in a 1:59.4 mile in the $1,100 top class.

To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.