Skies of sparks wrapped a picturesque evening of racing in Peterborough, Ont. on Saturday (May 28), opening night, at Kawartha Downs.
The festivities concluded a nine-race card which began with a victory by the eight-year-old Mach Three mare Show Me Some Magic. Driven by Sam Fillion, the Bruce Cleaver trainee sat the pocket to pacesetter Dana Salaam through fractions of :27.4, :58.1 and 1:28.2 before creeping off the cones and slinging to a 3-1/2-length lead in progress to a 1:57.3. She returned $13.60 to win in taking the $3,750 opening-race pace.
Ideal Jet travelled his ideal mile in the co-featured $4,900 pace to post a 1:55 victory. The now 11-year-old Jeremes Jet gelding jolted for the lead in rein to Nick Boyd and cruised from there, setting a clip of :28.2, :56.2 and 1:25.1 before crossing the line 1-3/4 lengths better than Salty Robyn N. The Craig Barss trainee, co-owned by Nurko Sokolovic, paid $3.60 to win.
The co-featured $4,900 trot went in a similar fashion to Asa Im Ready earlier in the card. The John MacMillan pupil strolled on the point through fractions of :29, :59.2 and 1:29 to win by a length in 1:58.1 over pocket-sitter and 7-5 favourite Sonofamillionaire. Doug Brown piloted the eight-year-old Muscle Massive mare for owner Ted Brayton who paid $6.60 to win.
MacMillan led all trainers on the opening-day program with a double while Doug Brown bested all drivers with three victories. Racing continues at Kawartha Downs every Saturday through Sept. 24 with first-race post time at 6 p.m. (EDT).
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results – Kawartha Downs.