Simpson Series Kicks Off At Georgian

Georgian Downs played host to the first leg of the Robert Simpson Claiming Series on Friday night with seven $5,000 divisions.

Otabe President converted from a pocket trip to win his division by a half length in 1:58.1. The 5-2 second choice earned his fourth seasonal win with MacDonald in the driver’s seat for trainer Don Howlett, who co-owns the five-year-old son of Presidential Ball with Don Muzzeroll of Campbellville, Ont.

In rein to Aaron Byron, Cameo Morley notched his fourth consecutive win for trainer Bruce Goit and owners Frank Kim of Barrie, Jim Sutej and Gordon Wong of Toronto, Ont. The four-year-old Arcane gelding made his move en route the third quarter station tipping out from third and advancing on the pacesetter, Phone Tag (Mike Langdon). The fan favourite prevailed in 1:57.4 by almost two and three-quarter lengths.

Byron was back in the bike for a win with the Albatross veteran, Bullville Roma. The Des Tackoor pupil rallied from off the pace to score by two and a half lengths in 1:56.4. The post-time favourite, who has earned over $250,000 in his career, made his ninth trip this season to victory lane for owner Julian Lunn of Peterborough, Ont.

Vlad Hanover also used off the pace tactics to take his split in rein to part-owner Simon Allard. The four-year-old son of Rustler Hanover kicked into action in the stretch winning by a head in 1:58.1. The Sophie Desroches trainee picked up his fourth win of the season.

Trainer Bruce Goit and driver Anthony Haughan teamed up for a pair of wins in the final two divisions. Trey Hanover, a six-year-old Cambest gelding, delivered on his parimutual promise with a 1:57 triumph by half a length for owner Kenneth Currie of North Bay, Ont while the four-year-old son of Astreos, Astro Ghost, prevailed in 1:56.3 by a nose for Bonnie Goit of Waterford, Ont.

Goit's three wins on the card improved his yearly win total to 35. The resident of Caledonia, Ontario has recorded 122 wins in his career and over $1 million in purse earnings.

To view the charted lines from Friday, click here.