Cinema Classic proved to be a prosperous claim for trainer, driver and owner Mike MacNeill as he pulled off a 13-1 upset in his first start for the Chelmsford, Ont. horseman in the $35,700 final of Sudbury Downs' Harvest Series on Wednesday night
. The series was for $6,000 to $7,000 claiming pacers (with allowances).
After winning his first leg division of the Harvest Series on Nov. 16 in 1:58 for owner-trainer Richard Villeneuve, Cinema Classic was claimed for $7,500 by Ron Chevrier and joined Brittany Robertson's stable. He then finished third in his Nov. 23 second leg division where he was claimed once again, by MacNeill.
In Wednesday's series finale, the four-year-old Rocknroll Hanover-Animated Art gelding rallied home from third over to win in 1:58.1 by one and a quarter lengths. Front-stepper Justa Regular Joe (Paul MacLean) finished second and favourite Tax Riteoff (Gerry Belanger) rounded out the top three.
Cinema Classic paid $28.10 to win. The victory was his fourth in 35 seasonal starts and pushed his 2011 earnings to $37,949.
MacNeill also worked out the winning trip for the $15,000 consolation winner Red Leaf Morgan in the very next race. The favoured seven-year-old Artist Stena-Tarport Cam gelding, trained and owned by Sudbury's Paula Pidutti, rallied home from second over to win in 1:57.4 by one and a half lengths over pacesetter Foxys Fire Water (Wayne MacLean). In The Studio (Justin Turcotte) was third. The win was sixth of the season in 23 starts and lifted his annual earnings to $23,298.
MacNeill completed the eight-race card with four driving wins.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results – Sudbury Downs.