Georgian Downs hosted the second leg of the Robert Simpson Claiming Series on Friday night with six $6,000 divisions in preparation for next week’s $39,400 final.
Vegas and Mike Langdon kicked into action in the stretch to take the card’s opener in 2:00.2. Brand New Story (Steve Byron) was second and Mc Smiley (Tony Kerwood) finished third. The four-year-old gelded son of Camluck scored his third win of the year for trainer Bill Robinson and the WGR Stables Inc. of Hagersville, Ont.
In the second division, Vintage Favorite front-stepped his way to victory lane with Anthony MacDonald in the bike. The seven-year-old son of Artsplace scored his second win of the year for trainer and part-owner John Janes ahead of Jjs Hollywood (Keith Jones) and Astro Ghost (Anthony Haughan) in 1:59.1.
Bullville Romo made his winning move at the first quarter angling three wide and advancing to the lead. Driven by Anthony MacDonald, the nine-year-old Albatross gelding held on by half a length to win in 2:00.4. Triple Sec (Stuart Sowerby) finished second and Armbro Comet (Aaron Byron) rounded out the top three. The winner of 10 races this year made his first start for trainer Charlie Peake and owner Junior West of Orono, Ont.
Trey Hanover prevailed in his division in 1:59 after circling the Innifil oval with Anthony Haughan in tow. The six-year-old gelding by Cambest notched his second consecutive win for trainer Bruce Goit and owner Kenneth Currie of North Bay, Ont. after holding off the pocket-sitter Stonebridge Eagle (Tony Kerwood) by three-quarters of a length. The Iron Marshall (Anthony MacDonald) was third.
Langdon teamed up with Robinson for another win with Lifestream Mindale in the fastest split of the night. The 10-year-old gelded son of Life Sign lead the field every step of the way posting a two-length victory in 1:58.4 over Western Rival (Tony Kerwood) and Electric Hoops (Aaron Byron). Gerrie Tucker of Montreal, Que. owns the winner of 11 races this year.
The final division went to Vlad Hanover and driver Randy Fritz in 2:01.1. The four-year-old son of Rustler Hanover advanced to the lead from fifth after the opening quarter and managed to hold on by a neck for the win ahead of Metekhi N (Anthony MacDonald). Super Tuesday (Steve Byron) was third. The Sophie Desroches pupil, who is owned by Ferme Bureau Et Fils Senc of Saint-Leonard, Que. and Simon Allard of Burlington, Ont., scored his second straight win and fifth of the season.
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