Nickle Bag turned in a tremendous effort to win a thrilling $34,000 Preferred Pace on Saturday night (Jan. 30) at Woodbine Racetrack.
The Bill Robinson trainee got away seventh in the field of eight for driver Trevor Henry, as Nirvana Seelster rejected a two-hole trip to take command for driver Rick Zeron.
After a first-quarter of :27.1, Nirvana Seelster marched down the backside to the half in :55.4. Meanwhile, Henry tugged on the right line and blasted Nickle Bag from seventh towards the front to engage with the leader.
Nirvana Seelster was forced to pace a :26.4 third-quarter, as the leader slugged it out with the first-over Nickle Bag.
Nirvana Seelster held a narrow lead for the majority of the lane, but Nickle Bag refused to lose and grinded by in the final strides to win in 1:50.4. The Rev finished third at 25-1.
Nickle Bag, who was sent off as the 1-2 favourite, now has two consecutive wins and victories in three of five starts this season. The six-year-old son of Rocknroll Hanover pushed his career earnings over $500,000 with his 22nd career victory Saturday for owners Linda and Harry Loyens.
Nickle Bag paid $3 to win.
Also on Saturday’s card, Roger Mayotte made his first visit to the winner’s circle since losing several horses in the tragic fire at Classy Lane Training Centre.
The veteran driver steered Kenneth Switzer trainee Machal Jordan to victory in a $22,000 overnight event. The seven-year-old pacer showed his class by digging in to hold on for his 21st career victory in 1:52.2.
Mayotte, who has won over 3,500 races and driven winners of $52 million, now has two wins in 10 drives this season. He will look for his first training victory since the Classy Lane fire on Monday night with six-year-old trotter Kinetic King.
Post time Monday is 7:30 p.m.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Racetrack.
(WEG)