Gts Jake turned in the fastest local mile so far this season at Northlands Parks in the $8,500 Open Pace on Saturday night
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With James Jungquist getting the call to drive, Gts Jake settled into fourth place off the gate in his fourth Open contest while Lil Dude Starrbuck (Jeff Stone) worked his way to command from Post 6 and led the seven-horse field past opening panels of :28 and :57.4.
At the half, Neal Diamonique (Bobby Clark) made the first over sacrifice from third with Gts Jake following his cover. Neal Diamonique swept to the top down the backstretch, but Gts Jake was hot on his heels and cleared to command shortly after.
Gts Jake hit the third quarter mark in 1:24.4 while extending his lead, which reached five lengths by the top of the stretch. The 5-2 favourite coasted home to score 1:53.4 triumph over the 'good' track, just missing his lifetime mark by one-fifth of a second. Hilldrop Shady (Brent Grundy) closed well for second while narrowing the winner's margin to less than one length. Sixdaysontheroad (Bill Tainsh Jr.) came on for third. The two-time Open winner returned $7 to his backers.
The five-year-old Freedoms Pass-Gts Jolene gelding is owned and bred by trainer Gerald, Terry and Marjorie McGinn of Stony Plain, Alta. The win was his third in eight starts this year and no. 13 in his career, pushing his bankroll to $69,040.
In streaking action, Kg Art Dreamer notched his fifth win in a row in his fourth race conditioning assignment with Bobby Clark in the bike for trainer Gerry Hudon, who was injured in an accident Friday night. The five-year-old Artsplace-JJs Dreamer gelding edged out Wannabe Cowboy (Ryan Grundy) and slight favourite Red Star Tiger (John Chappell) for the 1:55.4 victory. The 3-2 second choice paid $5 to win. He is owned by Hudon and Gordon Bryan of Cochrane, Atla.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northlands Park.