Freshman trotting colts stepped into the spotlight on Friday night at Balmoral Park as a full field of 10 diagonally-gaited youngsters squared off in the $21,300 Cardinal Stake for state-breds.
When the smoke cleared from this heated battle, it was Thomas Pollard and Dirk Simpson Stable’s Pastor Clint who emerged victorious as he came flying down the center of the track to record a two and a quarter length victory in 2:0.1 over a track rated as “good” after being dulled by rain earlier in the night.
Given a patient steer by leading driver Casey Leonard, the gelded son of Powerful Emotion—SS Stardust was kept well off the early pace of :29.3, :59.4 and 1:29.1, which was being set by a headstrong Speedy Rendezvous (Ridge Warren).
Tipping five and six-wide from the center of the pack as the field straightened into a brisk headwind, the Dirk Simpson trainee began gobbling up one rival after another as he charged home for his fifth win in 15 lifetime starts. Longshot PJ Boy (Mike Rogers), who found a good early spot despite leaving from post 10, turned a nice ground-saving trip into a second-place cheque while JD Cheese (Todd Warren) staged a nice rally to get the show dough.
Dispatched as the third choice in the wagering despite a similar come-from-behind win in his elimination the previous week, Pastor Clint returned $9.00, $5.60 and $3.60 while upping his earnings of $31,451.
(With files from Balmoral Park)