Driver Serge Pharand went gate-to-wire with I Am Sam Iam in the final leg of the Late Bloomer Pacing Series Wednesday, October 21 at Sudbury Downs
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Through a driving rain over a sloppy track, Pharand toured the course through quarter mile fractions of :29.4, 1:01.1, 1:32.1 and stopped the clock in 2:03.1.
Trained by Ed Bassis the homebred Camotion-J Bs Felisa four-year-old gelding took home the lion's share of the $19,400 purse and boosted his lifetime earnings to $28,134. He is owned by Bassis along with his wife Nancy and Bertholde Carter of Sudbury, Ont.
The mutuel prices were relatively high. Despite having won a leg and having picked up a third within the Series, in addition to having drawn the pole position, the punters allowed I Am Sam Iam to go off at odds of 12-1. He returned $26.10 to win, $8.70 to place and $3.50 to show.
Finishing in the runner up spot was the Paul Walter-trained Ramember, who was driven by veteran reinsman Wayne MacLean. Going into tonight’s big money event Ramember was the only double winner in the Late Bloomer Series, yet he paid out $8.70 to place and there was no money wagered on him to show. Kim Pluta’s Later Raider finished third and his show price was $8.30. The 1-2 exactor shelled out $35.80 for each $2 ducat.
The 1-2-3 triactor rewarded the faithful few $197.10.
In other action, Lombo Skyrider A, with trainer/driver Don Gillis, Jr., was a wire-to-wire winner in the $11,000 Not Listed Preferred Pace holding off a quick-closing Deuces And Jacks (Paul MacLean) by a nose in 2:00.2. Longshot No Competition (David Dowling) claimed third prize.
The 11-year-old gelding won for the eighth time in 32 starts this season and pushed his earnings to over $66,000 for owner John Bianco of Bolton, Ont. A son of Panorama-Decethree, Lombo Skyrider A has won 45 times in his career earning over $646,000.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click here.
(With files from Sudbury Downs)