Wayne MacLean’s Vawns Chip found the wire just in time to pull off a sweep of the Iceman Trotting Series Saturday at Sudbury Downs
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In the $12,400 final, first leg winner Mimis Express (Pascal Berube) jumped to an early six length advantage during the :29-second opening quarter and continued to lead the way past the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:30.4.
Catching up with “Mimi”, Vawns Chip, the even-money favourite, pulled the pocket during the third interval and took control in the stretch but had to deal with a hard closing R M Shy (Paul MacLean), who angled three-wide around the final turn.
Vawns Chip fought hard on the inside and managed to hang on for the win in 2:01.2 by a quarter-length. Team Lavec (David Dowling), a second leg winner, finished two lengths behind in third.
Vawns Chip, a nine-year-old Pines Chip-Vawns Victory gelding, earned his 10th victory in 28 starts this season lifting his earnings to $37,952. Lifetime, Vawns Chip has won 25 times and earned $213,548 in purses.
Saturday's $10,000 Not Listed Preferred Pace produced a tight finish with Deuces And Jacks and driver Paul MacLean rallying from fifth to prevail in 1:57.1 by a head over pacesetter Lombo Skyrider A (Mike Noble). Favourite Seawind Gambler (Allan Hohner) scooted up the rail to finish just a neck behind in third.
France MacLean trains Deuces And Jacks for Paul MacLean and Shaun McDonald of Wallenstein, Ont. The five-year-old son of Million Dollar Cam-Fit N Fast notched his third straight win and 10th of the season in 39 starts pushing his earnings to nearly $75,000. The 15-time career winner now sports a bankroll totaling $349,243.
To view Saturday's results, click here.