The 2022 harness racing season kicked off at Truro Raceway on Friday (May 6) and the George Rennison-trained pacer American Risk picked up right where he left off last season, winning the top Winners Over class.
With the Rennison stable newcomer Vines To Heaven scratched, the field for the $2,500 feature was reduced to a quartet.
Sent off as the 1-5 favourite with Todd Trites between the wheels, American Risk got the first call, hustling ahead with inside rival Rusty Riley (Paul Langille) hot on his heels and an initial gap back to the trailing duo of Imalookertoo (Danny Romo) and Lady N Paradise (Andrew Campbell).
American Risk carved out fractions of :27.2, :57.3 and 1:27.3 with Imalookertoo moving up from third and launching first-up while Rusty Riley waited to take the passing lane plunge. However, neither challenger could catch American Risk, who went on to win by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:56.2. Rusty Riley settled for second and Lady N Paradise nabbed third over Imalookertoo.
American Risk, who had capped off a 10-win campaign in 2021 when defeating Rusty Riley on December 19 in a matching mile, paid $2.40 to win his season's debut.
Owned by Risky Bizz Group, the six-year-old American Ideal-Kissing Bandit gelding notched his 18th career win and lifted his earnings to $78,977.
Rennison, Truro's leading trainer last year, also sent out Special FX ($6.30) for a pair of winners on the eight-race card with Trites aboard while defending driving champion Paul Langille picked up a victory with his own trainee Arizona Bucks ($8.60). Trites took the early lead with a triple.
Tango Seelster ($2.30) and reinsman Kurt Harper opened the meet with a blowout maiden-breaking victory for trainer Carrie Saunders and owner Adrian Saunders of Moncton, N.B. The three-year-old Sunshine Beach colt recovered from an early miscue and powered to the lead after the first quarter, dashing away from his foes for a 17-length win in 2:00.2.
Live harness racing continues at Truro on Fridays at 6 p.m. For a complete racing schedule, click here.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Truro Raceway.