The wagering public backed pilot David Dowling in both divisions of the Donnie & George Turner Memorial Stakes on Sunday (Nov. 8) at Truro Raceway, and the man in red and white made sure he delivered.
The Donnie & George Turner Memorial for three-year-old pacers featured a male (Race 5) and female (Race 9) division, and Dowling capitalized on his inside starting spots in each of the dashes.
The stakes' $14,710 split for the females faced the starter for Race 5. After lining up in Post 1, Dowling and his charge, Woodmere Skyroller ($2.40), left out for the lead and were not headed before stopping the clock in 1:54.3. The duo cut the speed (:28.3, :58.1, 1:26) and sealed the deal with a :28.3 final quarter. Watch Me Dance (who was driven by Jason Hughes) took a pocket ride through the festivities and finished two lengths back in second. Ashestodiamonds (Darren Crowe) raced third throughout the contest and was third under the wire. The 1:54.3 mile was a new track record clocking for three-year-old pacing fillies, which was previously held by Filly Forty Seven (1:55.2). Kevin Maclean trains Woodmere Skyroller, who is a bay daughter of Rollwithitharry, for owner Reginald MacPherson.
Fast forward to the $14,460 colts and geldings' split and Dowling was up in the bike behind Earl Watts trainee Windmere Frank ($4.60) from Post 2. The duo cut the fractions (:28, :57.3, 1:27), finished things off with a :29.2 final quarter, and were first under the wire in 1:56.2. Here Comes Red (Redmond Doucet) raced third along the rail during the mile and closed up the passing lane to finish second by one and one-half lengths. The Big Chase (Adam Merner) had pulled the pocket off of the final turn, but couldn't overtake his rival and had to settle for third. Watts trains Windmere Frank, who is a Malicious gelding, for owners Debbie Denney and Hollis Newson.
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Truro, click the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.