Vel Trust In Time trailed a field of First Tracks Cumberland's top pacers through the first half-mile before circling his foes to repeat in the $9,722 Winners Over Handicap as part of a grand slam for the Tammy Sowers stable on Saturday, May 31.
Driven by Aaron Hall, Vel Trust In Time caught the cover of Married Man (Nick Graffam) during the second half and out-sprinted that rival to wire to win by half a length in 1:57 while the popular pacesetter Jones Hanover (Kevin Switzer Jr.) battled gamely inside for third in the three-across finish.
Owned by Clifford Grundy of Boca Raton, Florida, the five-year-old Lost In Time-Trust My Heart gelding has won back-to-back starts in the Winners Over two weeks apart with late-closing tactics and returned $12.40 to his backers as the 5-1 third choice in the wagering. A 31-time career winner, he is eight-for-16 this year.
Tammy Sowers also sent out Saturday winners Kitalpha, Long Weekend A and Vel Straight Out, all driven by Mcgwire Sowers.
It was also a good day for Hall, who had four sulky successes during the 11-race card and vaulted much closer to the top of the leaderboard with 37 scores on the season. That brings him within just two wins of current leader Nick Graffam.
Racing resumes at First Tracks Cumberland on Saturday, June 6 with a special 2:45 p.m. post time, to merge schedules with the Belmont card at Saratoga, which is the third leg of the Thoroughbred Triple Crown. First Tracks Cumberland will provide onsite viewing and wagering with doors opening at 12 noon.
(Standardbred Canada & First Tracks Cumberland)