Trainer-driver Marc Campbell worked out a perfect second over trip aboard Malabrigo for the consistent two-year-old pacing filly's biggest victory to date in her divisional Maritime Breeders Futurity on Sunday afternoon at Truro Raceway
.
The $40,430 filly event was one of three Maritime Breeders Futurity finals on the card. Mr Thompson upset the $38,620 final for two-year-old pacing colts and Moulded Image captured the $10,200 final for two-year-old trotters.
Malabrigo, who has never finished worse than second in 10 stakes starts this year, pushed her earnings to nearly $50,000 with her off-the-pace victory this afternoon.
With the inside post advantage, Oduya (Clare MacDonald) took control of the field of fillies and led the way past fractions of :28.2, :59.1 and 1:29.2. Meanwhile, Rebel Enforcer (Walter Cheverie) launched a first over attack from third with Malabrigo and Campbell picking up the cover. Rebel Enforcer applied heavy pressure to the pacesetter into the stretch, but elimination winner Malabrigo came flying wide to score the 2:00.1 triumph. April Dawns Star (Mike Stevenson) also closed well from fifth up the passing lane and came within a quarter length of the winner. Pocket-sitter Windemere Nancy (Danny Romo) finished one and a quarter lengths behind in third.
The daughter of Western Paradise-Lotsa Bunny, a runner-up in the Atlantic Breeders Crown to the absent Pictonian Amanda, is owned by Greenoaks Farm of Mississauga, Ont. She paid $4.20 to win as the fan favourite.
Mr Thompson overcame interference at the half and fanned four-wide before blasting home to win the colt final in 1:59.3 for driver Mike Stevenson and trainer Wayne Bell. The Articulator-Yankee Checkers colt nosed out Dukes Up (Walter Cheverie) for the 17-1 upset. The popular pacesetter Junebugs Baby (Greg Sparling), an elimination winner, finished one and a quarter lengths behind.
Mr Thompson now sports a record reading 3-1-2 in eight starts with $26,324 earned for owners Boyd Macdonald Prodce Ltd. of Crapaud and Daniel Ross of Belfast, P.E.I. He paid $36.20 to win.
After sitting nearly 13 lengths off the lead in fourth, Moulded Image and driver Leonard Myers kicked into high gear and swept to command en route to the three-quarters mark. He then drew away to win by six and a quarter lengths in 2:06.3. Dusty Red Lane (Paul Lanigan) finished second and Lil Miss Abbie (Mike Stevenson) recovered from a miscue to show.
Tom Weatherbie trains and co-owns the son of Meadowagogo-Chloe K with Blair Hansen and John Cormier of Charlottetown, P.E.I. He sports a record reading 2-2-2 in 10 starts with $16,700 banked. Moulded Image paid $8 to win as the 3-1 second choice.
In regular racing action, St Lads Dagwood was a repeat winner in the $1,225 Winners Over Pace for driver Ernest Laffin and trainer-owner Kenneth Greene. The six-year-old Camotion-Scoot The Dust gelding prevailed by a neck over pacesetter Dreams Matter (Danny Romo) in 1:59.1.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results.