A rich night of racing was presented at Georgian Downs on Tuesday evening, as Ontario-sired pacers and trotters waged war in a quartet of Ontario Graduate Series finals
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First up was the $54,600 final for three-year-old pacing fillies, and in that contest top honours went to a front-stepping Lyons Puddin Pie. The daughter of Grinfromeartoear-Michiko did the roadwork for driver Dan Clements en route to pulling off a 4-1 mild upset in a time of 1:54. Pearl Handlepistol was a fast-closing second, with Lucky Taryn taking home the show dough.
Ciaran Morrison trains the sophomore for owner Geoffrey Lyons Mound of Burford, ON. It was the filly’s second win of the season in 14 tries, and the lion’s share of the purse lifted her lifetime earnings to $97,630.
Youlneverwalkalone pulled off an 11-1 upset in front-striding fashion in the $53.600 Ontario Graduate Series final for trotting fillies. James MacDonald hustled the Blair Burgess pupil through fractions of :28, :58 and 1:26.2 before rolling home in :29.2 to post the career-best clocking of 1:55.4. It was 2-1/2 lengths back to runner-up Surveillance, with Quantum Victoria tagging along to finish third.
Karin Olsson Burgess of Milton, ON and Torkil Pedersen of Trondheim, NOR own the daughter of Kadabra-Coolgardie Girl, who was unraced as a rookie. It was her fifth win of the season in 16 tries and the $26,800 payday helped her overall bankroll climb to $84,980.
Del Rio Seelster used last second heroics to grab a half-length triumph in the $54,000 Ontario Graduate Series final for colts and geldings. Scott Zeron rallied the son of Western Maverick-Demi Seelster, who was sent off as the 1-5 favorite, to the half-length win over Just Asign To Me in 1:52.1. Lyons Johnny faded late to finish third.
John Pentland trains the gelding for Natalie Pentland of Dorchester, Synerco Ventures Inc of Toronto and Clarence Devos of Langton, ON. It was the third consecutive tally and the fifth win of the year in 10 tries for the career winner of $69.650.
Calipari, who was perfect in the preliminary legs of the Ontario Graduate Series for trotting colts and geldings, extended his winning streak to three-in-a-row thanks to his half-length triumph over Edit in a time of 1:56.4. Hearthetrainacomin enjoyed a ground-saving journey and wound up third in the $54,600 tilt.
Anette Lorentzon trains the son of Ken Warkentin-Sheena Hall for ACL Stuteri AB of Paris, KY. After going 2-for-9 as a rookie he’s managed to construct a 4-1-1 record in nine starts this season. The lion’s share of the purse bumped his bank account to $76,580.
Earlier on the card, Watkins rallied to win by a neck in the $15,000 Preferred #2 Trot for driver Mario Baillargeon and trainer Dr. Pete Johnston. The four-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Sarong Hall got up in the final strides to win by a neck over Southwind Vavoom in a career-best clocking of 1:54.3. Zorgwijk Jock rounded out the top three finishers in the seven-horse affair.
Idylwood Stables Inc of Peterborough shares ownership on the gelding with Watkins Equine Inc of Newcastle, ON. The victory was the sixth of the season and the 15th lifetime tally for the career winner of $226,659.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Georgian Downs.