Rod Therres's Amysterytome ($15.80) turned a front-row seat behind a backstretch battle into victory in the featured $7,200 optional claiming pace on Wednesday night (July 10) at Century Downs.
Therres, who also drove the five-year-old Mystery Chase gelding, used pole position to full advantage and secured the pocket behind early pacesetter and 6-5 favourite Marlons Magic (Mike Hennessy). After drafting comfortably through a :56.4 first half, Amysterytome was locked in up the backstretch — initially by the first-over Town Speaker (Paul Davies) and then by Real Buzz (Brandon Campbell), who pushed three-wide up the far side to pass a taxed Town Speaker and force Marlons Magic through a :27.3 third quarter.
Undeterred, Marlons Magic battled to hold his ground after Real Buzz headed him a quarter from home, but Amysterytome found room to hook three-wide off the pegs on approach to the top of the stretch. Once in the clear, Amysterytome lifted to the lead and collared Marlons Magic a sixteenth from home, and he prevailed by a half length in 1:54.2. Real Buzz managed to save third after his gruelling journey.
Chris Lancaster trains 18-time winner Amysterytome.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Century Downs.