The king of Nova Scotia ruled once again as veteran standout Surrealist notched his 70th lifetime win in Saturday's $5,000 Governor's Cup Series Final at Northside Downs.
Ryan Campbell settled the public choice into fourth early as longshot Brother John (Randy Getto) forged the early fractions of :29 and :59.2. Campbell was pressured into moving Surrealist into the outer flow just before the half as fellow elim winner Euchred (Mark Pezzarello) started a first-over bid from fifth. Surrealist was able to gain cover heading to the half from pocket-sitting Gotfaithincowboys (Angus Bates).
Heading down the backstretch, Surrealist moved three-wide for a rush at the pacesetter, powering past and tripping the third station in 1:30. A two-plus length lead turning for home widened to more than four by the wire, reached in 2:00.2. Euchred chased in futility but managed runner-up honours with Southwind Ricardo (Gerard Kennedy) finishing third.
Owned and trained by Dana Getto of New Waterford, N.S., Surrealist (Modern Art - Keeping Secrets) has connected for 35 of his 70 lifetime wins in the last two seasons -- at the ages of 10 and 11. His seasonal summary stands at 16-7-2 from 28 starts, and the win lifted his lifetime bankroll to $291,698.
It was a great day for "preteen" pacers as 11-year-old Waterside Lucky was a gate-to-wire winner in the $1,800 Governor's Cup Series Consolation. Carey Romeo Jr. engineered the win in a seasons-best equalling 1:59.1 for trainer Robert MacNeil, who co-ownes with Joseph MacNeil and Bernard MacNeil. The win was the 60th lifetime for the daughter of Yankee Leader - Roza Robota.
For the full results from Northside's Saturday card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.