In 2017, pacing colt Mateo dominated Western Canada's sophomore pacing colt ranks and his campaign culminated with an O'Brien Award nomination. Clearly that ability runs in the family as his younger brother has now etched his name in the Northlands Park record books.
Saturday's card at Northlands featured two $22,500 Horizon Pace divisions for two-year-old pacing colts and geldings. On paper, the first division appeared to have three contenders but Go Nine O stepped up to the head of the class by virtue of his track record performance.
With trainer-driver Kelly Hoerdt at the controls, Go Nine O settled into second early behind Crash Dive (Nathan Sobey) before a quick move to the front before the soft opening quarter of :30.1. Go Nine O made every call from there, hitting the half in :58.4. Favoured Crackle N Burn (Phil Giesbrecht) started to advance from fourth but still had more than two lengths to make up as Go Nine O soared past the third station in 1:26.4. A four-length lead for Go Nine O turning for home widened to six at the wire with the clock stopped in 1:54.3. Crackle N Burn stayed for second with Crash Dive the best of the rest to take show honours.
The time of mile matched the 23-year-old track mark set by Bombarded (twice) in 1995.
Now with two wins in seven lifetime starts, Go Nine O (Custard The Dragon - Mater Deo) is owned by J J J Stables of Prince George, B.C. and (former Mateo handler) Jim Marino.
The second division featured the talented Outlawgrabbingears and I Am A Rocket, with the two almost equal in odds at post time. Outlawgrabbingears was sent off as the 3-5 choice with I Ama Rocket a slight second at 6-5. On the track, the difference between the two was similar but the outcome was not.
Paul Davies had Outlawgrabbingears in command through fractions of :28.3, :57.1 and 1:26.4 with I Ama Rocket (J.F. Gagne) right on his helmet in the pocket. Gagne right-lined 'Rocket' in the stretch and prepared for blast off. The two freshmen traded blows but I Ama Rocket edged by to win by a quarter of a length in a lifetime best 1:55. Chase Me Forever (Jamie Gray) completed the triactor.
Gagne trains and co-owns I Ama Rocket (Custard The Dragon - Machs Rocket) with Albert Branham and Archie Melnyk of Sherwood Park, Alta. In eight seasonal starts, I Ama Rocket sports a 3-3-0 summary with close to $40,000 earned.
To view the charts for Saturday's card of harness racing at Northlands, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.
Congratulations to the
Congratulations to the Coonfers in Alberta on their success. As graduates of Pedigree Camp on PEI they have learned their lessons well.