The third leg of the Champions Pacing Series produced yet another pair of new winners on Saturday at Sudbury Downs. Rush Rules and Northern Flight each captured a $15,000 division in the series
for non-winners of $70,000 in 2009 as of August 29.
With Justin Turcotte in the driver’s seat, 4-1 third choice Rush Rules maintained his position fourth at the rail through panels of :28.4 and :59.2 before moving to the outside at three-quarters in 1:29.2 and kicking home in :29-seconds to score in 1:59.1 by a length over a track rated "good".
Cameltoe (Mario Rivest) was the runner-up while pacesetter Bumblebee Road (Gerry Belanger) was forced to settle for third.
The five-year-old gelded son of Scooter Scott-Sf Cavalier has won six times in 20 outings this year for trainer Rick Shakes and owner Robert Truman of Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Northern Flight, the 7-1 fifth choice, and Mario Rivest battled second leg winner Sjs Nitelife (Paul MacLean) for the lead to the :28.1 opening quarter before pulling away by two lengths. The Northern Luck-Fearless Flight five-year-old paced past the remaining markers in :59.1 and 1:30 and used a :29.1 final frame to seal the deal. The time of the mile was also 1:59.1.
Sjs Nitelife stayed for second and favourite No Competition (David Dowling) recovered from an early miscue to come on for third.
Rivest also trains and owns the bay gelding with Kari Rivest of Hanmer, Ont. Northern Flight is now a winner of five races in 11 starts this year.
The $20,000 (added) final is scheduled for next Saturday, October 10 at Sudbury.
In other Saturday evening action, Ms Fun extended her win streak to six-in-a-row thanks to an off-the-pace score in a $6,800 conditioned pace for partners Kevin Skilton of Barrie and Mike Lamoureux of Chelmsford, ON.
The four-year-old Lamoureux-trained daughter of Full Of Fun stopped the clock in 2:02.1 for driver David Dowling. The victory improved her 2009 record to 12-2-2 in 33 starts and the lion’s share of the purse boosted her overall bankroll to $40,406.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click here.