Five divisions of the Carl And Marg Mackenzie Memorial Stake for three-year-olds – two for pacing colts and geldings and three for their filly counterparts – went postward Friday at Truro Raceway, and it really turned out to be a good night for the favourites.
Cherry Pop rallied for an easy triumph in her $6,848 division for trainer/driver Darren Crowe. The daughter of Ameripan Gigolo took over the lead past the half and drew clear to win by 3-1/4 lengths over Elm Grove Maddy in 1:58. Third prize was earned by Woodmere Ceilidh.
David Livingstone, Charles A Piper, Jr., Randall Mac Intosh and Robert Siteman own the four-time winner who transitioned from an 0-for-12 rookie season into a four-time winner from six starts. She’s closing in on $13,000 in career earnings.
Race favourite R Es Shabla rolled to a speedy score in her $6,849 division for trainer Leonard McGuigan and driver Michael McGuigan. The filly was parked through panels of :28.1, :58.3 and 1:26.2, but she still had plenty left in reserve for the final quarter of the contest. Her :29.4 closing frame earned her the win by 7-1/2 lengths over Elm Grove Mistress. Taking home third prize was Woodmere Wyldstyle.
The win improved her 2018 record to 5-1-0 from just eight trips to the track. The career winner in excess of $29,000 is owned by Lloyd Parsons of Indiana.
Royaltywestho went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a handy score in the final division for the fillies. Walter Cheverie chopped out fractions of :30, 1:00.4 and 1:30 with the pacing lass who then kicked home in :27.4 to win by three lengths over Woodmere Chella in 1:57.4. Rounding out the top three was Chocolate Terror.
Joseph Baxter and Gregory Francis own the daughter of Westwardho Hanover-Lady Kelleigh Ann who is 4-for-4 to kick off her 2018. The 11-time winner has banked more than $60,000 to date.
Sock It Away improved his 2018 record to five wins from as many starts thanks to his front-stepping triumph in the first division for colts and geldings. The 12-time winner led the field through fractions of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:28 before firing home in :27.3 to win by three-quarters of a length over Woodmere Ideal-Art Dustylanewesty.
The lion’s share of the $6,516 boosted his overall earnings to $53,383. He is owned by Reg MacPherson of Stratford, PE.
Half Cut took the other division for the male pacers in a shark clocking of 1:57. The 12-time winner got away near the back of the pack before making steady gains toward the leaders. He sat fourth for most of the mile, but on the way to the three-quarter pole he made a bid at the leaders while racing parked out on the rim.
Mark Bradley guided the Tom Weatherbie home in :29.2 to win by a neck over Tobins Lightning, with the show dough going to Tangled Mind.
The son of Stonebridge Terror-Beckys Filly is now a 12-time winner with purse earnings in excess of $59,933.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – Truro Raceway.