Sent the 7-5 favourite, Reclamation took command early and clung to the lead until the finish, winning the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Handicap Pace narrowly on Tuesday (June 30) at Georgian Downs.
Parked to a :27.2 first quarter, Reclamation circled by early leader Sports Flix to take the lead, cruising on the point through a :56.1 Bettor Trix N angled first over to challenge the pacesetter coming to three-quarters in 1:24.1 but gave way into the final turn, leaving Reclamation with only Sports Flix to turn away. In the stretch Sports Flix vacated pocket and lunged for the lead late, finishing a neck behind Reclamation in a 1:52.1 mile. Casimir Swamp Girl took third.
A five-year-old mare by A Rocknroll Dance, Reclamation won her second race from 10 starts this season and her 18th from 43 overall, earning $195,430. Richard Moreau trains the $4.70 winner for owners William Donovan and Donal Murphy. Brett MacDonald sat in the bike.
Earlier on the card Caviars Triumph ground uncovered to land a half-length in front at the finish and win the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot.
Bastiano, sent the 7-5 favourite, pushed for the front from the pylon post while Kris Me Goodnight ducked for the pocket before a :28.4 first quarter. As Bastiano strolled past the half in :59, driver Scott Coulter angled Caviars Triumph off the pegs and pressed the five-year-old Triumphant Caviar gelding towards the front. Past three-quarters in 1:27.3 Caviars Triumph drew to equal terms with Bastiano, putting the favourite away in the stretch to stop the clock in 1:56.2 with Kris Me Goodnight giving chase in third.
Trained by Steve Coulter for owner Steve Adams, Caviars Triumph won his third race from 10 starts this season and his 15th from 77 overall, earning $104,769. He paid $7.70 to win.
Yankee Osborne then capped the card in the other co-featured event when sliding to victory in the $8,500 Horses and Geldings Preferred 3 Pace in 1:52.3.
Marty Monkhouser A set the pace with minimal challenge, carving splits of :27.2, :56.3 and 1:24.3. Past the half Goldinthebadlands attempted to charge first over but gained no ground in the backside, forcing Allstar Seelster to kick three wide from second over moving to the final turn. Allstar Seelster drew closer to Marty Monkhouser A circling to the stretch but the pair shortened in stride as Yankee Osborne went airborne off a pylon trip, ripping by the dueling leaders to win by a half length.
Owned by Sarah Jane Stables, Yankee Osborne won his fifth race from 12 starts this season and his 17th from 71 overall, earning $132,509. Neil Mac Innis trains and drove the five-year-old Yankee Cruiser gelding who paid $11.60 to win.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Georgian Downs.