Three-year-old pacing colts and geldings trekked to Inverness Raceway on Sunday afternoon, as the half-mile oval treated its fans to a solid matinee program
of Atlantic Sires Stakes action. A trio of $7,640 “A” divisions went postward along with a single $2,500 “B” division for the sophomores.
Driver Mike Stevenson lulled the field to sleep in the first division with War Dancer, who coasted through splits of :31.4 and 1:03.2 before picking up the tempo in the back half of his assignment. He rolled to the three-quarter pole in 1:32 and finished off his foes with a :28.2 closing frame en route to the 2:00.2 decision. It was seven lengths back to runner-up Urge To Win and third-place finisher Rocky Bubba.
Stevenson conditions the undefeated son of Western Paradise – Temples May Day, who was sent off as the 1/5 favourite for partners Boyd MacDonald Prodce Ltd., Daniel Ross and Charles Seymour. The pacer is 4-for-4 this year after winning his lone start during last year’s rookie campaign.
The quickest clocking of the day in the ATSS action was turned in by Porthill Gatsby, who toured the oval in 1:58.3 for trainer Sandy Baird and driver Todd Trites. Baird, who shares ownership on the son of Quick Comeback – Windhaven Mattie with Sonya Baird and Cliff Garland, watched his pacing pupil lay down splits of :30.1, :59.1 and 1:29.3 before kicking home in :29.1 for the 1:58.4 score. West River Tom was second and third prize went to Blackriver Wildcat.
After starting the season 0-for-7, Porthill Gatsby has reeled off three straight wins to bring his record to 3-1-0 in 10 starts. He has banked more than $40,000 to date.
After winning 5-of-11 as a rookie, Stars Xample is now 4-for-4 to start his sophomore campaign following his 2:01 score in Sunday’s third division. Trained and driven to victory by Terry “Rubber Ducky” Gallant, the son of N Xample – Hidden Assets recovered from an early miscue to post the two-length score in a time of 2:01. Island Historic was second and the show dough went to Seawind Dropper.
Catherine MacNeil of Glace Bay, NS bred and owns the photogenic colt, who has stashed away more than $17,000 in lifetime earnings.
Saulsbrook Quick, a son of Quick Comeback – A Little Heaven, took the lone “B” division in a time of 2:01.2 for driver Red Doucet and owner/trainer Ross Toole of Truro, NS. It was the pacer’s first win of the season and third of his career. He defeated Gunning For You and Whoisit.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.