Reginald MacPherson's Carlisimo ($24.80) turned aside a stern challenge from even-money favourite Notorious en route to a 1:58.1 triumph in the $8,465 Dawn Bremner Memorial for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on a special Victoria Day (Monday, May 20) card at Exhibition Park Raceway.
Todd Trites wasted no time with the son of Shadow Play, firing from post 6 and securing the lead quickly. After travelling uncontested through early fractions of :29 and :58.4, Carlisimo was nudged along by Notorious (Marc Campbell), who emerged from a cosy tracking spot in third to engage the pacesetter nearing three-quarters in 1:29.
While his lead shrunk to a length at the eighth pole, Carlisimo dug in turning for home and he parried the favourite's challenge by 1-3/4 lengths. Red Dirt Boomer (Mark Haig) chased evenly from second-over to take third over A Grand Terror (Gilles Barrieau), who faded from the pocket.
Kevin MacLean trainee Carlisimo, who won an Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots event as a freshman, improved his career record to seven wins in 15 starts.
In the Bremner split for three-year-old pacing fillies, So Much More ($2.80) and Mark Bradley lived up to odds-on billing, posting a 2-3/4 length victory over Woodmere Tango in 1:59.3 and keeping an undefeated sophomore season intact.
The daughter of Big Jim followed the cover of a brushing Woodmere Tango (Mary Clare MacDonald) into a :29.1 first quarter and then continued on to clear after losing cover. Once in charge, So Much More controlled middle splits of :59.3 and 1:30 before edging clear on the final turn.
Tom Weatherbie trains seven-time winner So Much More for owner-breeder Doug MacPhee.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results – Exhibition Park Raceway.