D J Adonis and Top Of The Morning pulled off a pair of 7-1 upsets in the opening leg of the All Saints Claiming Series on Saturday night at Georgian Downs
. The series is open to pacers that are non-winners of $30,000 lifetime as of September 15, 2010 (no allowances), racing for a price tag of $10,000.
Driven by Mike Langdon, D J Adonis went wire-to-wire to win the first of two $8,000 divisions by one length in a career-best 1:54.1 for trainer Rene Allard and owners David McCallum of West Lorne, Ken Fitzgerald of Carlisle and Craig Brewer of Dresden, Ont. The three-year-old Astreos-Keepsake Killean gelding pulled off the upset over the favoured Lulus Boy (Aaron Byron). Mischievous Luck (Bruce Richardson) finished 11 lengths behind in third. The win was D J Adonis’ third in 19 seasonal starts.
Top Of The Morning and driver Aaron Byron (four wins on the 11-race card) converted from the pocket to win the second split in a career-best 1:55.3. The three-year-old Cams Card Shark-Converging Spirit gelding prevailed by a half-length over the popular pacesetter, Mustang Art (Brad Watt). Berts Last Cat (Garrett Whelan) finished seven lengths back in third. Mike Sinclair trains the winner of six races in 28 starts for owner James Ruhl of Tara, Ont.
The second leg of the series featuring $9,000 divisions will take place next Saturday, Oct. 23 with the $30,000 (added) final set for the following Saturday, Oct. 30.
To view Saturday's results, click here.