Pretty Boy Cam used last second heroics to pull off an 8-1 upset in last week’s elimination of the Spring Sizzler Series at Kawartha Downs, and it was more of the same in Thursday’s $10,000 final for the Nick Fife trainee
With Steve Byron at the controls, Pretty Boy Cam survived a first-over journey and eventually wore down the race favourite en route to posting the 1:56.2 victory at odds of 18-1.
Allen The Optimist took the field to the quarter pole in :28.2 before giving way to the 4-5 favourite, Offshore Drilling as the field moved in front of the grandstand. Offshore Drilling led past the mid-way point in :57.2 while feeling first-over pressure from Pretty Boy Cam. That first-over prompter ratcheted up the pressure in the backstretch on Offshore Drilling, who was clinging to a narrow lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2. Pretty Boy Cam used a :30-second final frame to get up for the half-length score over Offshore Drilling in 1:56.2. Jac Spade rallied from far back and took home the show dough.
Robert Cuthbertson of Hastings, ON holds the ownership papers on the five-year-old son of Cambest, who is now 3-for-14 this season after going winless in 34 starts in 2010. The $5,000 payday boosted the gelding’s lifetime earnings to $31,317.
Aaron Byron enjoyed four trips to victory lane on Thursday’s 12-race card, and in doing so he moved into a share of second place in Kawartha Downs’ drivers’ standings. He and James MacDonald have 35 wins apiece. Gord Brown, who picked up a pair of wins on Thursday, leads all reinsmen with 55 wins so far this season.
To view results for Thursday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Thursday Results – Kawartha Downs.