McKinney ($8.30) and Adversity ($12.20) both employed their winning moves prior to the final turn in their respective $8,500 Preferred 3 assignments on Sunday (June 17) at Georgian Downs.
In the Preferred 3 Pace, McKinney set up early shop in third, stalking the pace set by even-money favourite Drunkonaplane (Bob McClure) through :27.2 and :56.2 splits before Colin Kelly sent him first-over up the far side. After forcing a :27.3 third sectional, McKinney worked to duel down Drunkonaplane and subsequently hold off the second-over Arsenal Seelster (Scott Young) by a length in 1:52.1. Weatherly (Paul MacKenzie) stalked third-over cover to take third from the fading pacesetter.
Trainer Robert Kyle Fellows co-owns McKinney with Daniel Knechtel and Arpad Szabo. It was the 27th career win for the eight-year-old Santanna Blue Chip gelding.
Adversity had to overcome some trouble in the Preferred 3 Trot on his way to a 1:55 score, as he was forced to circle a stalled Pollar Hall (MacKenzie) in the outer flow while in pursuit of favoured pacesetter Wesmont (Jonathan Drury) with over a quarter mile to go. Not only did Adversity wear down the early leader, but he held off a late bid from Jangone (J.B. Renaud) to earn his 21st career win by a head. LMC Mass Oak (McClure) rallied from astern to finish third, 2-1/4 lengths back.
Trainer Jason Ryan drove Adversity, a seven-year-old Yankee Glide gelding, to victory for the Jemaxpo Racing Stable LLC.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.