With the red-hot Indended Royalty out of the Sunday (Dec. 6) lineup at Truro Raceway, a new winner was guaranteed in the week's featured $2,000 winners-over pace. And by way of a second-over trip behind contested early fractions, Donald Beaton's Daddy Let Me Drive ($6.20) proved best of all — albeit narrowly — after finishing in Intended Royalty's shadow one week ago.
Rodney Gillis moved Daddy Let Me Drive second-over behind duelling leaders Catch Twenty Two (Darren Crowe) and Well Did (Paul Langille) nearing the completion of a :58 first circuit, and then angled him three-wide with three-eighths to go as the pace began to slacken. After Catch Twenty Two reached three-quarters in 1:28.1 and Well Did began to fade, Daddy Let Me Drive pushed his way into a head-stretch lead. The six-year-old I Can Only Imagine gelding edged clear of the longtime pacesetter and was driven out to hold off the stand-side rally of Johnnywalkerdelux (Ralph MacKay) by a nose in 1:59.1.
Johnnywalkerdelux was ultimately disqualified for causing interference to Well Did and the three-wide Toxicity on approach to the far turn, thus causing Catch Twenty Two — beaten 1-3/4 lengths — to be elevated to second and the late-rallying Rusty Riley (Kenneth Parker) to be elevated to third.
Daddy Let Me Drive earned his fifth win of the season — his second in nine starts for Beaton — and the 18th of his career.
To view Sunday's complete results, click thee following link: Sunday Results – Truro Raceway.