Sent at odds of 8-1, Uptown Funk stalked a quick pace before circling wide and catching pacesetter Pretty Handsome on the wire to win the $11,500 Preferred 2 Pace on Sunday, June 23 at Georgian Downs.
Driver Brett MacDonald sat fifth with the Tony O’Sullivan-trained Shadow Play gelding while Pretty Handsome took control past a :26.4 opening quarter. Pressured by Imsporty marching first over, Pretty Handsome paced a :54.4 half but slowed towards three-quarters in 1:23 as Imsporty faltered. Royal Renegade, riding cover, fanned wide while Uptown Funk left the cones and travelled widest through the stretch to get a head in front of Pretty Handsome in a 1:51 mile. Royal Renegade finished third.
A four-year-old owned by Gary Volpe, Uptown Funk won his sixth race from 18 starts this season and his 10th from 44 overall, earning $96,015. He paid $19.90 to win.
Earlier on the card Rod Boyd trainee Anderson Seelster swept to the front, posted quick fractions and advanced to a 1:52 victory as the 8-5 favourite in the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace.
Leading through splits of :26.2, :55.2 and 1:22.4, Anderson Seelster faced a far-turn challenge from Sly Eleanor N but soon opened a two-length lead turning for the finish. Cosette overtook pocket-sitter Jimbelina to finish second, one length behind the winner. Jimbelina checked in third, three-and-three-quarter lengths off the winner.
Owned by 1187422 Ontario Inc., Anderson Seelster won her second race from 15 starts this season and her ninth from 62 overall, earning $117,030. J Harris drove the five-year-old Camluck mare who paid $5.40 to win.
Marching past dueling leaders, Br Ezliksndymornin brushed to the front and held off a late bid from Indigo Art to win the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace in 1:53.1.
Brocks Fortune pushed for the front from the pylons while Big Time Sunrise, starting from post 8, launched towards the top but could not clear heading to a :27.2 opening quarter. Big Time Sunrise stuck alongside the pacesetter through a :55.2 half but lost ground moving past three-quarters, timed in 1:24.2. Driver Jonathan Drury circled Br Ezliksndymornin from fourth rounding the final turn but had Indigo Art chasing him to the finish. The Carmen Auciello trainee held off Indigo Art by a half length while Moonwriter closed for third.
A four-year-old son of Vintage Master, Br Ezliksndymornin won his fourth race from 11 starts this season and his eighth from 33 overall, earning $65,476. He paid $7.50 to win.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.