Zorgwijk Freedom put up a fight to maintain the lead throughout the mile and succeeded in capturing $11,700 Iceman Trot Claiming Series Final on Saturday night at Sudbury Downs for trainer-driver Justin Turcotte
and owner Robert Bourgon of Levack, Ont.
Leaving form Post 5, first leg winner Zorgwijk Freedom took control of the field and showed the way to the opening quarter in :30.1. The eight-year-old Armbro Ricochet-Zorgwijk Britt gelding was challenged through middle splits of 1:01.2 and 1:32.3 by Roan Star (Mike MacNeill) and faced more pressure from the favourite, second leg winner Donald Rankin (Gerry Belanger), who followed his cover three-wide from last and came charging after the leader in the stretch. Zorgwijk Freedom found the wire just in time, hanging on by a neck for the 2:03.3 triumph. R M Shy (Paul MacLean) finished over four lengths back in third.
Zorgwijk Freedom paid $10.10 to win as the 4-1 second choice. The win was his sixth in 40 starts this year and pushed his earnings to $38,249 for 2010 and $158,555 lifetime.
Trainer-driver Gerry Belanger enjoyed a productive night at the Chelmsford, Ont. half-mile track as he sent out three winners from his barn and drove two others during the 12-race card.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.