Locally owned pacer Casimir Jitterbug wore down Gold Cup & Saucer champion Eighteen in the final strides of the $100,000 Remember Sudbury Stake on Saturday night at Sudbury Downs.
Leaving from post three, elimination winner Eighteen and driver Tyler Moore grabbed the lead with Intheblinkofaneye and Jason Ryan parked out in second to the opening quarter in :26.4. Intheblinkofaneye eventually tucked into the pocket while Eighteen forged ahead through middle fractions of :55.2 and 1:25.
Meanwhile, track record holder Piece Of The Rock and Scott Young made the first over sacrifice from the backfield with the popular elimination winner Harnessnitencanada, driven by Justin Turcotte, following his cover and rallying wide.
Around the final turn, Intheblinkofaneye pulled the pocket and the leader was swarmed from both sides and Casimir Jitterbug and trainer-driver Mario Rivest slipped up the pylons. With the wire quickly approaching, Casimir Jitterbug surged ahead to win in 1:54.1 by a neck over Eighteen while Intheblinkofaneye finished just half a length back in third.
Casimir Jitterbug, a third-place finisher in his elimination last week, paid $15.50 to win as the 6-1 fourth choice in the field of nine. The victory was his seventh of the season in 23 starts and 20th lifetime, pushing his bankroll to $225,333.
The five-year-old Sir Luck gelding is owned by Mario and Kari Rivest of Hanmer, Ont.
The victory was one of five on the 11-race card for Mario Rivest. Among his wins were a $7,500 division of the Late Bloomer Series with Philippe Belanger trainee Majestic (1:58.3). Driver Paul MacLean and trainer France MacLean teamed up for a Saturday night triple, including series winner Kennairn Arts Boy (1:59.2). Secret Edition (1:59.2) and trainer-driver Jason Ryan captured the other Late Bloomer division.
Sleek Hunter circled a field of Preferred pacers to win the $11,400 event also featured on the Remember Sudbury undercard in 1:55 by three-quarters of a length over Daddy Warbucks and Gerry Belanger. Tyler Moore drove the five-year-old Four Starzzz Shark gelding for trainer Rene Allard, who co-owns with Gest Millenium 2000 Inc. of Trois-Rivieres, Que. and Jean Guy Bruneau of Montebello, Que.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Sudbury Downs.