After withstanding third-quarter pressure from Dazzling Rockette, Mach Magic ($10.80) stubbornly denied a sweeping stretch bid from 8-5 favourite Howmacfiesty in Tuesday evening's (June 12) $8,500 Preferred 3 event for distaff pacers at Georgian Downs.
J.R. Plante used pole position to his advantage at race's outset, sending the six-year-old daughter of Mach Three immediately to the fore before yielding the lead to Casimir Pardon Me (Scott Young) at the conclusion of a :28.2 first quarter. Mach Magic retook at once and backed down the tempo through a :29.3 second split before Dazzling Rockette (Ed Hensley) emerged from third to offer a first-over challenge.
Up the backstretch, Dazzling Rockette forced the hand of Mach Magic, closing to within a half length as they accelerated well clear of the others through a :26.4 third quarter. Mach Magic held firm through the far turn and not only kept Dazzling Rockette at bay, but also parried a stretch bid from Howmacfiesty (J Harris), who lifted three-wide off the home turn from a third-over trip. Mach Magic prevailed by half a length over Howmacfiesty in 1:54.2, while Dazzling Rockette stayed on enough to save third.
Anthony Beaton trains 17-time winner Mach Magic, a David Lumsden homebred.
To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Georgian Downs.