Aahm Cruisin front-stepped his way to victory lane while fighting off favourite Game Zac in the $1,200 Winners Over Pace at Northside Downs on Saturday afternoon
.
Aahm Cruisin and driver Alex MacQuarrie took control of the field from Post 3 and cruised past opening stations of :31.2 and 1:01.2 over the 'good' racing surface before the pocket-pulling Game Zac (Alex MacNeil) laid on the pressure. Game Zac was up alongside the leader as they passed the third quarter mark in 1:31.2, but Aahm Cruisin dug in down the stretch to prevail by half a length in 2:01. Game Zac finished second but was placed back to fourth for causing interference past the half-mile mark to Sir Dutch (Bruce McGean) and Lifes Win (Greg Bailey), who inherited second and third, respectively.
The win was Aahm Cruisin's third in four previous Northside starts and seventh in 23 outings this year.
The nine-year-old gelding by Armbro Cruiser, out of Aahm A Jewel, is trained by Louis Beaton and owned by Anthony Beaton of Inverness, N.S.
He paid $8.10 to win as the 3-1 third choice.
Also on the 14-race card, Heather Hawkins scored a training grand slam with Electric Prince ($5.70), Papas Little Rose ($6.30), Lexus Bandito ($5.30), and Prince Of Hope ($3.90) -- the last three in a row to conclude the card. With four more wins she will have 300 on her lifetime record.
Nineteen-year-old Carey Romeo had a driving grand slam, bringing his win total to 19 for his debut season.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.