Some slick stick-handling from J.R. Plante provided Celtic Warrior a seam late in the mile to vanquish his counterparts in Georgian Downs' $13,000 Preferred 2 Trot on Tuesday night.
With favoured Stick Man Moe making an early miscue, Plante settled the 7-2 choice into fourth while Crown Vic (Scott Zeron) settled on the lead for the :28 opener. Plante then stayed inside while Born Believer (Brad Rae) commenced the outer flow, stalking the pacesetter through a half in :58.4 and eventually powering to the front just past the 1:27.4 third station. As the field hit the three-quarters, Plante slipped out from the rail and waged a three-wide assault on the leaders with Celtic Warrior around the final turn before pulling away to a two length win in 1:58.2. Samaras Wonder (Mark Johnston) and Oaklea Nolan (Dave Boughton) rounded out the top three.
Duane Marfisi trains the four-year-old son of Angus Hall - Midori Hanover for JL Benson Stables Inc, of Fort Lauderdale, Fl. and Aaron Waxman, of Brantford, Ont.
To view the charts from Georgian, click here.