The 2016 Atlantic Sires Stakes season began on Sunday afternoon (June 5) at Truro Raceway with three-year-old pacing fillies in the spotlight, including returning divisional champion Howmacscanasta.
Howmacscanasta was the fastest winner of the four $6,280 "A" divisions for trainer/driver Gillies Barrieau. The Articulator-Stonebridge Capri filly took the lead at the half-mile mark and went on to post a new lifetime mark of 1:57.1, winning by two and a quarter lengths over Glory Jean (Mark Bradley) with Maudail Mac (Clare MacDonald) finishing over 10 lengths behind in third.
Howmacscanasta, the 2015 Atlantic Breeders Crown champion, is off to a perfect start in his sophomore campaign with two wins in as many starts for owner Wayne MacRae of Fall River, N.S., and partners Robert Tilley and Lester Mott, both of Saint John, N.B. Last year, she won five of her 11 starts and banked $41,212.
Driver Walter Cheverie enjoyed a stakes double with victories aboard All About Madie and Every Time.
Unraced at two, All About Madi reeled in West River Ambyr (Clare MacDonald) for the three-quarter length victory in 1:57.4. Silverhill Cupid (Terry Gallant) was third. The homebred Brandons Cowboy-Jk Casablanca filly, who started her debut season racing in Florida, has now won half of her 10 starts for her P.E.I. owners, Leith, Leslie and Spencer Waite.
Despite early interference, Every Time collared Pownal Bay Style (Mark Bradley) at the wire for the 2:00.1 triumph in her division. R Es Miss Emily (Gary Chappell) came within three-quarters of a length of the top pair. Every Time won her only start as a two-year-old and is now a perfect two-for-two in her career, with her latest victory a new lifetime mark. Trainer Eddy Doucette shares ownership of the Camystic-Eternal Optimism filly with fellow Islanders Grant Mann, Gordon MacLeod and Blaine Thibeau.
Howmacfiesty earned her first Atlantic Sires Stakes victory in the other division for trainer/driver Danny Romo, prevailing in a close finish in 1:58.4 over Southfield Sassy (Terry Gallant) and Dustlanemissmolly (Corey MacPherson). The time of the mile was a lifetime-best clocking for the Carnivore-Bradelle filly, who had won four of her 12 starts last year and banked $24,346 for owner Thomas Hawco Jr. of Sydney, N.S.
Scarlet Saphire (Chasin Racin-Fritzel Hanover) earned her first career win in a $2,500 "B" division, stopping the clock in 2:02.2 for trainer/driver Darryl MacLean and owner Gordon MacLean.
Three-year-old pacing fillies will meet up again for their next Atlantic Sires Stakes event on July 3 at Inverness Raceway.
In regular racing action, eight-year-old gelding Mach Wheel won his second consecutive start in the $1,475 Winners Over Pace for trainer/driver Darren Crowe and owner Roy Springett of Windsor, N.S. The winning time was 1:58.1.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.