Joseph Michael romped to his second straight victory in the top pacing class at Exhibition Park Raceway on Saturday afternoon to complete driver Todd Trites' big day at the Saint John, New Brunswick oval.
Joseph Michael fired to command from the outside post six in the $1,600 Winners Over Pace and carved out fractions of :28.4, :59, and 1:28.4 en route to the 1:59 six length triumph. The win was the fourth on the 10-race card for Trites. Hyperion Blue Chip, driven by Mike Downey, and Dance Hanover, with Wayne Watson aboard, rounded out the top three finishers.
Eric Wilson trains the five-year-old Jennas Beach Boy gelding, who has won seven of his 21 seasonal starts, for Capital A Investments Ltd. of Lower Cambridge, N.B. and Valerie Phelan of Geary, N.B.
The favourite paid $3.20 to win.
Following his second-place finisher in the featured ninth race, Downey made it to the winner's circle in the finale with the streaking Forever Finesse.
The Downey Racing Stable's six-year-old Western Paradise gelding rallied four-wide from the backfield near the three-quarters mark and kicked home to score for the seventh consecutive time. The time of the mile was 2:02. Early trailer Mds Hardly Success finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in second for Watson and Iwish Iwish and Gord Hennessey were third.
The slight second choice paid $5.70 to win for the 11th time this year in 31 outings.
Earlier on the card, the seventh race was declared a 'No Contest' after one driver was unseated during a mishap leaving the gate. Pennthouse broke stride from post two causing interference to the nearby horses and dumping his driver Scott Hubbard. Trainer Ron Chamberlain confirmed with Trot Insider that while Hubbard suffered some scrapes and bruises, both he and Pennthouse were not seriously injured.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the link: Saturday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.