It was the classic case of catch-me-if-you-can in the Winners Over Pace at Northside Downs on Saturday afternoon and, try as they might, the field just could not catch Brother John.
John Beaton had the catch-driving assignment aboard Brother John in the $1,300 Saturday feature. Leaving from post three, Beaton had the eight-year-old on top at the quarter in :30.3, then backed down the pace through the second quarter to hit the half in 1:02.2. Picking up the tempo in the third stanza, Brother John passed the third station in 1:32.2 and braced for the onslaught of the backfield. As the challengers fanned four-wide around the far turn, Brother John maintained his status as the alpha male heading for home and widened his lead to approaching the wire to trip the timer in 2:02.2. Pocket-sitting Fex Education (Gerard Kennedy) was next best with Keep A Secret (Roddy Hurley) unleashing his usual late kick to complete the triactor.
Trained by Ken Collins, Brother John (Stonebridge Regal - Pine Barrens) is owned by Randy & Bradley Getto, Susan MacSween and Wayne Hardy, all of Nova Scotia. The win was the gelding's sixth of the year and 35th lifetime.
For the charts from the Saturday card at Northside Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.