Driver Paul MacKenzie reined home a 31-1 upset winner to kick off the Innisfil Cup Claiming Series featured on Saturday night's harness racing card at Georgian Downs while Scott Coulter won the following two $12,000 splits
. The series is for trotters that are non-winners of $60,000 lifetime as of Nov. 12, 2011 racing for a claiming price of $15,000.
The first division saw pocket-sitter Tsunami Dream and MacKenzie pull off the 31-1 upset when they drew away to a two and three-quarter length victory in 1:58 over Valle National (Anthony Haughan) and Mischievous Grin (Keith Jones). Greg Weatherbie trains the five-year-old Fortuna Winner gelding, who earned his first win of the season in 16 starts, for owner Samantha Dimmers of Ingersoll, Ont. He returned $65.70 to his backers for a $2 win ticket.
New York Sire Stakes competitor Quantum Incredible and Coulter advanced to the lead from fourth after the opening quarter and cruised to a one length tally in 1:59.2 in the next division. Celebrity Spartan (Mark Etsell) and favourite Right Back At You (J.R. Plante) finished second and third. The three-year-old Credit Winner gelding earned his second win of the year in 18 starts for trainer Mike Sinclair and owner Steve Organ of Aurora, Ont. The second choice in the field paid $7.80 to win.
In the final division, Coulter sent Captain J T to command from third during the second panel and the duo opened up a five and three-quarter length lead on their foes before hitting the wire in a 1:57.2. Northern Inferno (Paul MacKenzie) and Bank Statement (James MacDonald) rounded out the top three finishers. The favoured five-year-old Mutineer gelding paid $5.10 to win for the fourth time in 23 seasonal starts. He is owned by trainer Jean Bernard Renaud of Cambridge, Ont. and Jason Brewer of Puslinch, Ont.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.