Meridian Magic set the tone for the rest of the Fall Classic Series eliminations when she pulled off an upset in the first of three $3,500 events Saturday night at Kawartha
Downs. The upsets continued as G G Delight and Lotteria won the following eliminations in the series, which is for $5,000 claiming filly and mare pacers.
Four-year-old Largo mare Merdian Magic ($10.30) picked up cover and rallied home to score a mild 4-1 upset in the first elimination. She won by three and three-quarter lengths as the third choice, in 1:58 over the 'good' track rated three seconds slow. Fred Brethour was in the bike for trainer John MacDonald and owner-breeder Barry Martin of Sydney, N.S. The win was her second in four starts since arriving in Ontario in September. Quality Goods (Reg Gassien) and Lil Motion (Brandon Campbell) were second and third.
Five-year-old D M Dilinger mare G G Delight ($64.20) came on for a 31-1 surprise over the popular pacesetter Shes A Maniac (Fred Brethour). The winning time was 2:01.1 and the track was downgraded to sloppy with a three second variant. Reg Gassien worked out the winning trip for trainer-owner Stephen Gassien of Peterborough, Ont. Pocket-sitter Im Fasterthanu (Gord Brown) finished four lengths behind in third.
Seven-year-old Bettors Delight mare Lotteria ($11.80) advanced first over from fifth en route to a one length victory in 2:01 with Jonathan Drury in the sulky. The 4-1 fifth choice prevailed over pocket-sitter Dianes Place (Reg Gassien) and Lady Luck Killean (Kevin Austin) while pacesetter Ew That Smell (Anthony Haughan) broke stride in the stretch. Donald Howlett of Guelph, Ont. owns the winner.
The Fall Classic Series final is scheduled for Saturday, October 22.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.