The Barrie Ford Summit Series for trotters and pacers came to a close on Saturday night at Georgian Downs with driver Anthony MacDonald sweeping both Gold Finals
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MacDonald reined home trotter Spurofthehauer and pacer Rods Famous Ribs for a pair of Gold wins for their new connections.
Spurofthehauer, a three-time winner in the five preliminary legs of the series, proved to be a profitable claim for trainer Rene Allard and partner Gilles Fleury of Mascouche, Que. The seven-year-old Pegasus Spur mare was claimed for $7,500 in the fifth leg last week and rallied home to win the $35,733 Gold Final for trotters in 1:57.2.
Spurofthehauer got away sixth after a Post 9 start and rallied three-wide past the third quarter mark to prevail by one length over her favoured stablemate, E L Miss Pom with Simon Allard at the reins. She paid $15.10 for the mild 6-1 upset. Chris Yates trainees Tijuana Tag (J.R. Plante) and Nineanddivine (Travis Bowman) finished third and fourth.
Rods Famous Ribs, who won the only three preliminary legs that he competed in, was also claimed in last week’s fifth round for $6,000 by William Brown of Hanover, Ont., and moved into the Mark Etsell stable before winning Saturday’s $36,000 Gold Final for pacers in 1:55.1.
MacDonald pulled the six-year-old Hi Ho Silverheels gelding from the pocket after the opening quarter and swept to command ahead of Premium Bliss and J.R Plante. Rods Famous Ribs was never seriously threatened from that point on and cruised to a three and three-quarter length victory. Premium Bliss finished second while Be Magnanimous and Travis Bowman rallied from last to show. Rods Famous Ribs paid $7.50 to win as the 5-2 second choice.
Rene Allard trainee Striking Lightning and driver James MacDonald upset stablemate Raise E Daisy and Simon Allard in the $25,733 Silver Final for trotters. The 10-1 shot rallied three-wide from the backfield and kicked away by six and three-quarter lengths in the stretch to win in 1:57.3. Schuyler and Anthony MacDonald finished third. The five-year-old son of Striking Sahbra was claimed for $6,000 after winning his fifth leg division by Allard and Fleury. He paid $23.10 to win.
Driven by Billy Davis Jr., Cracker Stoney front-stepped his way to a 1:54.4 score in the $26,000 Silver Final for pacers. The four-year-old son of Givemewhatineed, acquired by for Rocco Auciello of Stouffville, Ont. for $7,500 in the last round, held off favourite Little Quick and James MacDonald for the half-length score. Modern Look and Scott Coulter finished three-quarters of a length back in third. Cracker Stoney paid $8.70 as the 3-1 third choice. He is trained by Carmen Auciello.
Davis Jr. also clicked with pacesetter Moblessinsdinblues in the $15,733 Bronze Final for trotters. The seven-year-old son of Royal Strength held off the rallying Aaron Andover and Scott Coulter for the three-quarter length score in 1:59. Victorys Peanut and Travis Henry advanced first over for third. Keith Jones trains the 16-1 upsetter for Douglas McCarthy of Holland Landing, Ont. Moblessinsdinblues was claimed for $6,000 from the second leg of the series by his current connections. He paid $35.60 to win.
For results from Saturday's harness racing results, Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.