Dr. Mitchell Downey sent out the top two finishers in Saturday afternoon's Preferred 1 at Exhibition Park Raceway and was aboard the winning pacer himself for his first driving victory of the year.
Downey, who was named New Brunswick's 2015 Rookie Driver of the Year, drove Fall Bliss in the $1,350 feature and won an early tussle with last week's winner Magical Alex for the leading role after a quick :27.2 opening quarter. The eight-year-old son of Blissfull Hall then cruised home for the two and a quarter length victory in 2:00 with City Of The Year and Michael Downey advancing into second. Magical Alex finished seven and three-quarter lengths back in third.
Michael Downey owns both the winner and runner-up.
Truro Raceway invader Threes A Crowd won his EPR debut in the $1,100 Preferred 2 in rein to Todd Trites for trainer Dr. Trevin Shive and owner Dr. James Shive of Rines Creek, N.S. The time of the mile was 1:59.3.
Exhibition Park's first two-year-old winner of the season was Tommy and Cindy Gunn's debuting Puthecherryontop. Mark Haig drove the Brandons Cowboy-Wylde Cherry filly to the 2:06.4 victory.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.