Greek Ruler, sent postward as the longest shot on the board, wore down last year’s Western Pace and Battle of Alberta Super Final champion Barona Ice, who was making his season’s debut in the $8,700 Open Pace
on Saturday at Alberta Downs.
Driven by John Chappell for trainer Joe Ratchford, Greek Ruler waited patiently in fourth place before launching his attack on the popular Barona Ice (Bill Tainsh Jr.), who left from Post 7 and carved out fractions of :28.4, :57.4 and 1:26.4. Greek Ruler wore down the leader with a :27.3 final frame for the one and a half length victory in a career-best 1:55.1. Barona Ice held on for second with Neal Diamonique (Lance Ward) angling three-wide from the backfield and unleashing a :26.4 final kicker to get up for third.
Greek Ruler is now undefeated in three Alberta Downs starts. The six-year-old gelded son of Astreos-Armbro Tarte is five-for-seven on the year with $16,780 banked for Ratchford and co-owner Gordon Baxter of Lac La Biche, Alta. The victory was his 10th overall and pushed his lifetime earnings to $71,622.
Greek Ruler paid $16.00 to win as the 7-1 longshot.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Alberta Downs.