Angus Gillis trainee Gotfaithincowboys overcame a second-tier starting post to pull a minor upset at 6-1 in the $3,500 Celtic Financial Series Final at Northside Downs on Monday (Oct. 11).
The 11-year-old Brandons Cowboy mare followed pylon-starter Dragon Teeth to secure a pocket trip while Sauble Bonnie raced parked and alongside the pacesetter through a :28.2 first quarter. Sauble Bonnie stuck with Dragon Teeth through the stretch first time to a :58.4 half before starting to tire in the backstretch, prompting second-over Blacky Black to circle three wide. He interfered with Sauble Bonnie through that move, but nonetheless matched strides with Dragon Teeth around the final turn. Gotfaithincowboys meanwhile waited for clearance off the corner and fired for the front late to land a half length in front of Blacky Black, who was disqualified to eighth for interference, at the line. Hot Rock Star rallied and assumed second while Dragon Teeth was placed third.
A homebred for Angus Gillis, Gotfaithincowboys won her third race from 17 starts this season and her 39th from 206 overall, earning $41,802. Ryan Campbell drove the $15 winner.
Zero Stress Nora took her competition gate-to-wire in the $2,000 Celtic Financial Series Consolation. The six-year-old Western Paradise mare withstood first-over pressure from Private Paradise following a :29.1 first quarter and into a :59.1 half. Private Paradise lost ground on Zero Stress Nora to three-quarters in 1:30.4, and the Lawrence Snow trainee had enough in the holster to maintain a half-length advantage at the line of a 2:00.4 mile over fast-closing Buttons while Private Paradise took third.
Owned by Henry Poswiata, Zero Stress Nora won her first race from 17 starts this season and her 11th from 99 overall, earning $19,872. Greg Sparling drove the $7.50 winner.
The co-featured $1,600 Winners-Over Pace went to the longest shot on the board, Red Rum She Wrote, in a coast-to-coast score in 1:56.4. Driver Angus Bates protected position to the pylons with the four-year-old Vintage Master mare and maintained command while challenged by Revenant through fractions of :27.3, :57.4 and 1:27.3. She continued to lead through the stretch while withstanding a late bid from co-favourite Johnnie Jack, who settled for second by a half length. Runaway Mystery, the other favourite, took third.
Trained by owner Barry Bates, Red Rum She Wrote won her fourth race from 17 starts this season and her 10th from 46 overall, earning $12,706. She paid $28.70 to win.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Monday Results - Northside Downs.