Here Comes William Wins Again
Here Comes William earned his fourth straight victory over Georgian Downs on Sunday, August 20 as he went wire-to-wire in the evening's featured $10,000 Preferred 2 Handicap Pace.
Driver Donald Dupont sent Here Comes William to the lead from post five, keeping outsider Calgary Seelster parked and forced to settle in behind through a :27 opening quarter. Half A Billion challenged first over through middle splits of :57.3 and 1:25.4, but Here Comes William pulled away in a :27.2 final quarter to win by one and a half lengths. Owned and trained by Marie Dupont, the five-year-old Dragon Again gelding now has back-to-back 1:53.1 victories in the Preferred 2 class among his current win streak.
Here Comes William paid $6.10 to win as the 2-1 second favourite. Half A Billion chased the winner home in second while Ufdragons Rocket followed his cover to finish third over 8-5 bettor's choice Windsong Leo.
While Natalie Elliott has celebrated before with Thor Seelster as a rider in Racing Under Saddle competition last year, the trotter's latest victory at Georgian Downs was a special one for the 24-year-old Clinton, Ont. horsewoman as it marked her first career training win. Elliott acquired the seven-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding in June and he has picked up cheques in three starts at Clinton Raceway before pulling off an upset victory in Sunday evening's fourth race.
The second longest shot on the board was second-to-last early on before following the cover of 4-5 favourite Judy The Beauty. Driver Paul MacKenzie then sent Thor Seelster wide at the third quarter mark to track down leader Muscles All Over for the two and a quarter length victory in 1:58.3. Sent postward at odds of 12-1, he paid $26.90 to win. Judy The Beauty came on for second. Elliott earned her first win just 11 starts into her training career.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.