Rusty Riley ($74.80) shocked the onlookers during Truro Raceway’s $1,675 Winners-Over Pace on Sunday (Nov. 11) after having been shown little respect by the wagering public.
After having been dispatched at odds of 36-1 from Post 5, Rusty Riley and pilot Ernie Laffin stalked from fifth as the fractions were cut in :28.1, :59.2, 1:29.2.
The Danny Romo-driven Ramblinglily, who was the heavy 1-20 favourite in the tilt, went to the lead early and cut the opening half over the ‘fast’ track that was given a two-second variant.
The field wanted a piece of Ramblinglily in the third quarter, as Good Friday Three (driven by Dale Spence) was one of four overland challengers that were out and challenging at the three-quarters pole.
Good Friday Three had wrestled the lead away from Ramblinglily at the third call, but still had multiple foes to deal with in the lane.
Rusty Riley, who had been fifth at the three-quarters pole and sixth at the head of the lane, was able to work some magic and get up in the stretch to record a one and a half-length victory. The win was clocked in 2:01.
After having been interfered with off the start, KD Overdrive rebounded and raced well. Stephen Mason gave him a second-over steer and the duo earned the place spot. Good Friday Three, who had started from Post 8, didn’t finish far back (one and three-quarter-lengths from the victor) and secured the show dough. Ramblinglily finished seventh.
The win was the third of the year for Rusty Riley, who is a seven-year-old chestnut son of Blissfull Hall that is trained by Paul Langille. Rusty Riley has now won 18 of his 126 career races and has banked $59,000 overall.
Rusty Riley is owned by Chantel Gillis (of Truro, NS) and Dana Getto (New Waterford, NS).
Even though the afternoon card offered just eight dashes, Dale Spence was still able to leave his mark on it. The pilot won half of the program’s races, as he made trips to the winner’s circle with Mortal Combat ($2.70), Distinctiv Rusty ($3.20), Rawdon Gold Digger ($17.70) and Shadow Phil ($29.60).
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Truro, click the following link: Sunday Results – Truro Raceway.