Daryl Bier and Joann Dombeck's Wind Of The North ($2.20, Victor Kirby) had a successful Harrington Raceway debut with a 1:55.4 win in the featured $15,000 Open Trot on Wednesday (April 26).
The winner of more than $730,000 lifetime and 25 races scored impressively from post position five for trainer Jenny Bier.
Five Towns (14-1) was sent for the early lead from post three and marched through fractions of :28.1, :57 and 1:26.3 while Wind Of The North mounted a second-over attack heading to three-quarters. Wind Of The North then maneuvered around poor cover three-wide and hit his best stride in deep stretch to reel in Five Towns for a narrow win at the wire. The Cantab Hall gelding notched the first victory of his seven-year-old campaign. Awsome Valley overcame an early miscue to get third.
Ross Wolfenden, Jon Roberts and defending Harrington driving champ Kirby each had a double.
Live racing will continue on a Monday through Thursday schedule until Thursdays are dropped beginning the week of June 12 through June 28.
(With files from Harrington Raceway)