The first leg of Georgian Downs' Camerons Pacing Series kicked off on Wednesday night at Georgian Downs will four full divisions
.
Leading the charge with the fastest win was C Major Hanover and driver Sylvain Filion. Making just his second start off a claim for trainer Rob Fellows, C Major Hanover won an early speed duel after tussling with Solar Partner (Aaron Byron) through a :27.2 quarter before clearing to the lead in front of the grandstand. Filion eased up on the throttle to reach the half in :57.2 as favoured Cardinal Zin (Scott Zeron) started his move to press the pacesetter.
Down the backstretch, Zeron pestered the leader and came within three-quarters of a length as the third panel flashed up in a hastened 1:25.4. C Major Hanover had every excuse to pack it in down the lane but instead he responded with a :29.3 final quarter to post a 1:55.2 victory over the sloppy track. Cardinal Zin stayed for second with Sea Me Now (Scott Young) finishing third.
Fellows shares ownership in sophomore C Major Hanover (Art Major - Clover Hanover) with Arpad Szabo and Michael Magnus of Ontario. Claimed two starts ago for $21,000, C Major Hanover has managed to make back $9,000 in short order.
The other divisions went to:
- Full Circle King (Royal Mattjesty - Classy Sis) in 1:56.4
Owner: Judy Campbell, Alvin Bowman, Markdale, Ont.
Driver: Travis Bowman
Trainer: Brenda Duncan - J Rs Hurricane (Mach Three - El Nina) in 1:56
Owner: Double Or Nothing Stables, Bella Vita Stables, Fintec Stables, Hamilton, Ont.
Driver: Scott Zeron
Trainer: Emma Frieze - Mr Big Head (Real Desire - Missy Artsie) in 1:57.2
Owner: John & Natalie Pentland, Dorchester, Ont.
Driver: Billy Davis Jr.
Trainer: John Pentland
The series, for non-winners of $25,000 lifetime as of November 30, 2011, continues next week with the second leg.
Also featured on the card was a $15,000 Preferred #2 Pace. Many expected Lisfinny (Kevin Wallis) to cruise to victory but Rock Me Amastreos and Kyle Balson had other ideas. As Lisfinny carved out splits of :26.4 and 57.4, Balson came first up with the four-year-old Astreos pacer through the 1:26 three-quarter split and kept right on going for the 1:55.1 three length victory.
David Snowden of Orangeville owns the homebred, now a winner of three of his last four Preferred level starts under the tutelage of Art Balson.
For results from Wednesday night's card of harness racing at Georgian Downs, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Georgian Downs.