Mcaracas, McNairs Take Bud Lights

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Published: May 14, 2010 08:27 pm EDT

Three-year-old pacing colts converged at Flamboro Downs for the Bud Light Stakes on Friday evening in an attempt to take home a share of over $100,000 in purses that were up for grabs

. Driver Doug McNair and his father, trainer Gregg McNair, captured two of the three divisions with Stonebridge Tonic and Aracache Hanover while the other split went to The Diplomat Pacing Series winner Mcaracas for driver Mario Baillargeon and his brother, trainer Ben Baillargeon.

Overlooked as the longest shot on the board at odds of 12-1, Stonebridge Tonic pulled off a surprise in the first $37,670 Bud Light division for Team McNair.

Stonebridge Tonic made his move at the three-quarters mark and rallied home in :28.1 to win his three-year-old debut. The 3-5 favourite, Jackets Required (Randy Waples), carved out stations of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.3 before Stonebridge Tonic angled out from third, taking control around the turn and kicking away by 4-1/4 lengths. Keystone Raptor (Jack Moiseyev) came on for second and the pocket-sitting Mister Russ (Simon Allard) rounded out the top three.

Stonebridge Tonic returned $26.20 to win. Gregg shares ownership of the North America Cup eligible, who is assessed at odds of 80-1 in Trot Magazine’s 2010 Spring Book, with Ontario owners Leonard Gamble, Angie Stiller and the Artana Stables. The son of Camluck-Glacier Express has won two of his 14 career starts and has banked $167,854 to date.

The McNairs later returned to the winner’s circle with 5-1 Aracache Hanover, who was also making his sophomore debut for owners William Switala and James Martin of Clarence Center, New York.

With Kyle Major scratched, the field was reduced to five in the third division worth $37,670. Aracache Hanover left from Post 2 and coasted through fractions of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:25.1 en route to victory in 1:52.3. The son of Dragon Again-Armbro Cachet held off the even-money favourite, Twin B Warrior (Jody Jamieson), by three-quarters of a length while Future Million (Simon Allard) finished third.

Aracache Hanover returned $12.00 to win. The victory was his second in 12 lifetime starts and boosted his earnings to $58,308.

Team Baillargeon captured the other $38,345 Bud Light division with Mcaracas, also in 1:52.3.

Parked to the first quarter in :27.3 by Wellthereyougo (Randy Waples), Mcaracas cleared the lead shortly after and carved stations of :55.4 and 1:24 before using a :28.3 final frame to seal the deal. Wellthereyougo finished 1-3/4 lengths behind while Ok Commander (Doug McNair) rallied off cover to show.

Mcaracas, a winner of four races in five tries this season, returned $2.30 to win as the 1-9 popular choice. The Mcardle-Smooth Latin N colt, who has won half of his 14 career starts and $128,400, is owned by Ecuries Vert Et Blanc Inc. of Pierrefonds, QC and Gilles Parent of Ottawa, ON. The NA Cup eligible colt is rated 85-1 in Trot’s Spring Book.

To view Friday's results, click here.

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