Former WEG competitor Balanchine delivered on his pari-mutuel promise with a front-striding score in the featured $2,200 Preferred Pace on Saturday afternoon at Charlottetown Driving Park.
Driven by Brodie MacPhee for trainer Jackie Matheson, Island Pacing Championship runner-up Balanchine worked his way to the lead from post eight and cruised home to a two length victory in 2:00.2 over the sloppy track, which was rated three seconds slow. B J Cruiser (Gary Chappell) came in second and with the winner's stablemate, pacing mare General Luckypercy (Ron Matheson), finishing third off a pocket trip.
The eight-year-old son of Blissfull Hall returned $5.40 to win.
The career winner of over $750,000 has banked over $50,000 of his bankroll this year with nine wins, five seconds and one third-place finish in 31 starts. Mike Pollard of Stratford and Joey Gallant of Charlottetown co-own the sub-1:50 pacer.
Charlottetown's leading driver Marc Campbell won four races on Saturday's card boosting his win total for the season to 111, just 11 away from tying his own single-season win record at the track.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Charlottetown Driving Park.