For the second straight week, the longest shot on the board captured the Saturday feature at Northside Downs. But for the fourth straight week, a different horse had its photo taken in the winner's circle following the feature race.
In the Saturday (June 1) $1,400 Winners Over Pace, a competitive and evenly-matched field of six lined up behind the starting gate. As the wings folded, favoured Brother John (John Willie Beaton) showed the most early speed from post three with Dreamfair Van Dam (Gerard Kennedy) and Accelerator (Greg Sparling) dropping in behind. Brother John brushed through the opening half with splits of :29.4 and 1:00.4. Heading down the backside, Kennedy pulled teh pocket with Dreamfair Van Dam and engaged the pacesetter. Sparling right-lined Accelerator from third and followed Dreamfair Van Dam to be positioned second-over through a 1:30.4 third quarter. The front pair tussled around the final turn, neither wanting to give up the lead. But turning for home, Sparling angled Accelerator into the three path and he responded with enough acceleration to pick off the front-striding duo and trip the timer in 2:00.2. Dreamfair Van Dam was a quarter of a length back in second with Brother John third.
Owned and trained by Robert Blanchard of Howie Center, N.S., six-year-old Accelerator (Driven To Win - KG Affair) is only a head away from a perfect record in three seasonal tries. The win, his 15th lifetime, bumps his career earnings to $15,108.
To view the results from Cape Breton's Saturday card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.