Making his debut start for trainer Derek Rodriguez, Blue Water turned in an impressive winning effort in the $15,200 Harvest Series Final on Saturday at Sudbury Downs.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Water Tower got away fourth from Post 9 as Cameltoe (Mario Rivest) led the field to the first quarter pole in :28.1. As the field rolled to the half in :58.2, Blue Water and driver Paul MacLean tipped out picking up cover from the favoured Day Off (Jay Polifroni) who was on the move early.
As Day Off struggled to clear the front, Blue Water was forced to go three-wide at three-quarters in 1:28.3. With a strong closing effort, Blue Water held off Gems Greek (Justin Turcotte) by a neck in 1:58.1. P L Adder (Mike MacNeill) came on for third.
Blue Water, a winner of 27 races and $174,571 in his career, is owned by John Rodriguez of Hanmer and Robert Lamothe of Wahnapitae, Ont.
In the $12,500 Not Listed Preferred Trot, True High Voltage used a perfect pocket trip in rein to Scott Altizer to prevail by a quarter-length in 2:01.
The seven-year-old gelded son of Davanti tucked in behind Suzys Solitaire (Pat Barr), who led the field through panels of :29.4, :59.4 and 1:30.2. The winner of $120,364 in purses, who was overlooked by the betting public at odds of 7-1, popped out of the two-hole and coasted past the pacesetter in the stretch to win. Rebar Man (Wayne MacLean) finished third.
Altizer also trains and owns True High Voltage, a winner of 35 races.
In other action, trainer Mike Lamoureux had a successful night at the office scoring three wins in a row starting in Race 6. Making his first start for the Chelmsfeld, Ont. resident, Mud Bog prevailed in 2:00 in rein to David Dowling. Gerry Belanger guided Full Of Speed to victory in 1:58 in the following race and Dowling was back in the bike for Fox Valley Carmello's win in 2:01.
Lamoureux has recorded 28 wins this year and 134 in his career. His earnings total over $600,000.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.