Driver John MacDonald, one of Rideau Carleton Raceway's top reinsmen, overcame an outside post 10 start with his mount circling the field to earn his first Meadowlands Racetrack win on Saturday night.
After getting away at the back of the pack in the ninth race, MacDonald and seven-year-old pacer Firethorn followed the outer flow into the backstretch and was spotted third over as the field hit the top of the lane. The Dragon Again gelding kicked into high gear as he was shown open road down the stretch and cruised home to win by two and three-quarter lengths in a new lifetime mark of 1:51.2. The Pokester (David Miller) and favourite Mighty Joe Young (Stacy Chiodo) rounded out the top three finishers.
Firethorn paid $35.60 to win as the third-longest shot on the board.
The victory was Firethorn's 30th lifetime and boosted his bankroll to $331,038. He is trained by Jason Ricco for the J P Stables of Winchester, Ont.
Another Canadian star, former Alberta Horse of the Year Silver Eagle, also earned his first Big M victory on Saturday's card. The five-year-old son of Brandons Cowboy held off Voice Of Truth (Corey Callahan) and Bakin On The Beach (David Miller) to win the seventh race by a nose in 1:51.1 for Holland Racing Stable of Aurora, Ont. Ron Pierce drove the favourite, who paid $3.40 to win, for trainer Larry Remmen.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Meadowlands Racetrack.