Black Mac was a dominant winner over stablemate Good Chi in the $8,300 final of the George Young Memorial Claiming Series on Saturday afternoon at Northlands Park
for trainer Kelly Hoerdt.
Driven by Jeff Stone, Black Mac took command of the field from Post 5 and reached the opening quarter in :29.2. The nine-year-old Northern Luck-Delicrombie gelding gave way to K B Hercules (John Chappell), who came charging up from fifth to take over past that marker. He proceeded to the half in :58.4 and three-quarters in 1:28, before Black Mac moved back out for the re-take. Black Mac opened up nearly eight lengths on his rivals as he completed the 1-5/6 mile event in 2:34.4. Good Chi (Hoerdt), who sat fourth for most of the race, came on to place while Art By Dylan (Bill Tainsh Jr.) finished third.
Black Mac was claimed from the first leg of the series for $4,000 by Trevor Williams of Winnipeg, MB and went on to win his second leg division. He is now three-for-seven on the year with close to $8,700 earned. The victory was his 27th lifetime and pushed his bankroll to $174,235.
Hoerdt also scored a pair of victories with Trust The Artist ($3.20), who went wire-to-wire to win by over four lengths in 1:56 in the $9,500 top pace, and Stonebridge Lyric ($12.40), who came on to win his claiming assignment by half a length in 1:57.3.
Saturday’s $9,500 Fillies & Mares Open Pace went to Weareverigo and driver Bill Tainsh Jr. The homebred six-year-old Hoodoo Lobell-Early Hours mare went unchallenged as she cruised though fractions of :28.3, :56.4 and 1:26.1, but face serious pressure in the stretch from a pocket-pulling Western Bee (J.F. Gagne). Weareverigo found the wire just in time to score in 1:56 by a neck. Lady And Thetrench (Brent Grundy) was third.
Overlooked by the betting public, Weareverigo paid $26.90 for the 12-1 upset. The victory was her first in four seasonal starts and 12th overall, pushing her earnings over the $100,000 mark for trainer Joe O’Brien and owners Walter and Gerald Moroz of Edmonton, Alta.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.