Bigtime Ball is now three-for-three in his five-year-old campaign after winning the $50,000 Open Pace at Mohawk Racetrack on Saturday
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Driven by Paul MacDonell, the gelded son of Presidential Ball sat in fifth as Bolero Charles (Steve Condren) led to the first quarter in :26.2. Silent Swing (Randy Waples) then moved up to take the top spot en route to the half in :53.3.
From there, MacDonell moved his charge to the outside lane and Bigtime Ball reached the front by three-quarters in 1:22.1. The 3-5 post time favourite then used a :28.2 final quarter to secure the win in 1:50.3 by a length.
Clowns Smile (Jason Brewer) and Hyperion Hanover (Rick Zeron) came on for second and third.
With his three wins this year, Bigtime Ball has earned $65,000. Gord Irwin trains and owns the winner of 16 races and $669,481.
In the $40,000 Preferred Pace Anderlecht used his closing speed to post a 7-1 upset.
With Chris Christoforou taking the reins, Anderlecht sat in the fifth position as Daddy Mac (Mike Saftic) and the favoured Stormaway (Dan Megens) took turns on the front through early panels of :27.1 and :55.2.
At that point, Our Lucky Killean (Jack Moiseyev) quickly brushed to command while Anderlecht got underway and advanced first-up past the third quarter in 1:24. Using a :27.3 final frame, the four-year-old son of Cams Card Shark closed strong to stop the clock in 1:52.1.
Raw Energy followed the winner’s cover to finish half a length behind in second forcing Our Lucky Killean to settle for third.
Anderlecht picked up his fourth win of the season and increased his earnings to $133,200. His 10th lifetime score boosted his total bankroll to $246,535 for trainer Igor Vrablic and the Black Road Stable of Kitchener and the Point Zero Seven Racing of Burlington, Ont.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.