Barona Ferrari and Red Star Drooler both turned in a strong first-over performance on Thursday at Northlands Park to take the two $15,000 Prairie Gold Eliminations for four-year-old horse and gelding pacers.
In the opening division, Jaw Dropper (Keith Clark) used his rail advantage and dropped an opening half in :28.2 and :57.2 on his five rivals. Barona Ferrari, meanwhile, left in fifth for trainer/driver Rod Hennessey and he was unleashed down the backside, brushing from fifth-to-first before the 1:25 three-quarters.
Barona Ferrari widened his cushion with every stride around the final turn and was an easy winner by four and a half lengths in the end, tripping the teletimer in 1:54.3. Jaw Dropper was second best while Juslucky Benny (Bill Tanish, Jr.) finished third.
Lorne Duffield owns Barona Ferrari, who has two wins from 13 seasonal starts. The Northern Dynasty gelding recorded the 12th win of his career while pushing his lifetime tally to $290,712.
Red Star Drooler shocked the betting public when he pulled off an 18-1 upset in the second split for trainer/driver Don Monkman, Jr. When the gates folded, Tatjoo (Jean Francois Gagne) grabbed the front-end and he held the top spot through fractions of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:26.4.
Monkman, Jr. had Red Star Drooler sitting in mid pack from fourth in the early going and he was the first to commit to the outside. The As Promised stud worked his way up alongside Tatjoo, starring him down around the final bend and seizing command in deep stretch. From there, it was automatic for Red Star Drooler, who paced to a three and a half-length triumph in 1:56.2.
Blue Star Ruler (Mike Hennessey) got the place spot while the show went to Red Star Kash (Jamie Gray).
Don Byrne Stable 2008 Inc. and Don M J R Stables share partnership on Red Star Drooler, who delivered his fourth victory of the 2008 season. Now a seven-time lifetime winner, he boosted his bankroll to $80,179.
That victory capped off a three-win night for trainer Don Monkman, Jr. Also winning from his stable were Aces N Dreams (2:03.2) and Kg Krisp (2:00.3).
To view the results from Northlands, click here.