If there's been one consistent horse in recent years at Northside Downs, it's been veteran campaigner Runaway Mystery.
For five years now, the 10-year-old son of Mister Big - Phoenix Arcane has competed successfully in Cape Breton for conditioner Harold Leblanc Jr. He's notched 22 of his 30 lifetime wins at Northside Downs, with a good number of his starts taking place in the Winners Over top class.
Back in the box for the 2024 season opener on Saturday, May 11, Runaway Mystery was sent off as the longest shot on the board in the $1,600 Winners Over feature. Showing he's still a threat in that top class even when he's saddled with the worst post in the field.
Starting from the outside post six in the field of six, Runaway Mystery retreated to the rear of the field as Keeperoftherealm (Roddy Hurley) cut fractions of :30.2, 1:02.2 and 1:33.2. David Lloyd George (Keigan Madden) applied first-over pressure to the paceetter through those middle panels, with favoured Gentry Seelster (Mark Pezzarello) poised second over and Runaway Mystery (Leblanc) third over from the halfway point.
Gentry Seelster tipped three-wide heading into the far turn, and Leblanc followed that move to send Runaway Mystery into the four-wide path turning for home. Keeperoftherealm packed it in, but David Lloyd George still had something in the tank for the stretch drive. Runaway Mystery had more late kick, and the veteran mowed down his younger rivals to get up in the final strides for a 2:04 victory, with the 'good' track rated one second off. David Lloyd George was a head back in second with Gentry Seelster completing the triactor ticket.
Runaway Mystery picked up his 31st career win, pushing his earnings to $71,856 lifetime for Leblanc and co-owners Joel Le Blanc of Victoria Mines and Gus Burns of New Waterford, N.S. As the 9-1 longshot, Runaway Mystery paid $20.30 to win.
Northside Downs will host a total of 27 live racing cards this year, with Saturday afternoons comprising the bulk of the race days. The Sydney, N.S. oval will race through to Saturday, Aug. 3, shift to a Thursday card on Aug. 8 before taking a few Saturdays off during Old Home Week in Prince Edward Island. Racing resumes on Aug. 24 with Saturdays through to Nov. 16 -- with an exception of a Monday afternoon card on Oct. 14 instead of Oct. 12.
For results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)