The Pot O Gold Claiming Series for $4,500 claiming pacers kicked off on Saturday night at Sudbury Downs with Xlr Ray Shun King and No Competition each winning one of the $5,000 first round divisions
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Xlr Ray Shun King and driver Mike MacNeill, a three-time winner on the nine-race program, cleared the lead after the opening quarter in the first division and paced away to win by four and a half lengths in 1:57. Blue Water (Paul MacLean) and Mancasso (Gerry Belanger) rounded out the top three.
Joel Noel LeBlanc trains and owns the son of Western Ideal-Bashful Angel, who has won two of 14 races this year. The victory was his 26th lifetime and lifted the eight-year-old gelding's bankroll to $182,060. The 2-1 favourite paid $6 to win.
No Competition, the 2-1 second choice, gave David Dowling a driving double with his first over victory in the second split. The Rustler Hanover-Cams Legend gelding advanced first up from fourth after the half-mile mark and prevailed by one length over favourite Lyons Frank and MacNeill in 1:57.4. Little Spy (Mario Rivest) finished six lengths behind in third.
Dowling also trains and co-owns the eight-year-old gelding with Chelmsford's Keith Vaillancourt. The career winner of 27 races and $190,331 recorded his third victory of the season from 18 starts. He returned $6.10 to win.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Sudbury Downs.