Libertys Best Star prevailed in a three-horse finish to earn the lion's share of the $39,400 purse in the Prospector Claiming Series Final contested Saturday night at Georgian Downs
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Trained and driven by Brandon Campbell, the popular Libertys Best Star worked his way to the top from post two during a :27.4 opening quarter and continued to lead the way to the half in :56.2 with P L Earl (Stephen Byron) advancing first up from third.
P L Earl moved up to engage in a head-to-head down the backstretch with the pacesetter, but Libertys Best Star eventually turned back that foe and hit three-quarters in 1:24.1 while 9-5 co-favourite Lifeoftheoldboy (Barry Treen) rallied three-wide around P L Earl.
Libertys Best Star led the field down the stretch with Dont Tell Mom (James MacDonald) pulling the pocket and Lifeoftheoldboy gaining ground. The late closers made it into a three-horse photo, but Libertys Best Star held on for the victory in 1:54. Lifeoftheoldboy defeated Dont Tell Mom for second.
Libertys Best Star, a winner in a Prospector preliminary round two weeks ago, returned $5.80 to his backers tonight. The victory was his 12th lifetime and pushed his bankroll to $68,450. The four-year-old Cammibest-Dream Of Liberty gelding is owned by Jim Carr of Hamilton, Ont. and Steve Mihalic of Burlington, Ont.
Earlier on the card, Richard Moreau trainee Wild Dragon and driver Scott Coulter wore down pacesetter My Man Charlie (Phil Hudon) to win the $15,000 Preferred 2 Pace in 1:52.1. The four-year-old son of Dragon Again out of Wild Helen, who missed by just half a length to the popular Secret Weapon last week, is owned by Gestion Jean Yves Blais of Montreal, Que.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.