Putnams Power started off the Maritime stakes season in fine fashion by capturing first place honours in one of two $9,120 Atlantic Sires Stakes "A" division events at Inverness Raceway on Sunday afternoon
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The three-year-old pacing colt went wire-to-wire and crossed the finish line in 1:59.1 with driver Clare MacDonald holding the lines for trainer Ronnie Seymour Jr., who co-owns with Bruce Donovan of Glace Bay, N.S. Putnams Power was the leading point earner in his two-year-old Atlantic Sires Stakes season and showed today that he may be the colt to beat again this year. Second place went to Howdidchado and driver Terry Gallant, who finished four lengths behind, and finishing third was Tiger Williams and driver Earl Smith. Putnams Power's win was his 15th in 18 career starts and pushed his bankroll over $70,000.
The other $9,120 “A” division event went to front-stepper New School in a matching time of 1:59.1, with driver Jason Hughes in the bike, for trainer Ken Wilkie and owners Tasha MacKenzie of Stratford, P.E.I. and Whim Farms of Rothesay, N.B. Roses Dream Boy and driver Ryan Campbell followed from the pocket to finish two and three-quarter lengths behind in second and third place went to Tobins Fortune and driver Henry Smallwood.
Sunday afternoon’s race card also included two “B” division events with Elm Grove Fonzie (Henry Smallwood) and Neigh Monster (Bernard McCallum) each winning a dash.
Atlantic Sires Stakes racing action continues on June 12 when the three-year-old pacing fillies meet for action at Truro Raceway.
In regular racing action, 10-year-old pacing mare Abby Best won the $1,300 Winners Over Pace in 1:59.4 with driver Travis MacLean, for trainer-owner Angus MacLean of Port Hood, N.S. The Cambest-Armbro Seismic mare took over the lead after the halfway mark and opened up two and a half lengths on the field for her second (consecutive) win in five seasonal starts. Truth Or Dare (Ryan Campbell) finished second and Aahm Cruisin (Gary Delaney) was third. The two-time Erwin Andrew Memorial winner recorded her 56th career victory.
For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Inverness Raceway.
(With files from Atlantic Standardbred Breeders Association)