There appears to a be a new horse atop the open ranks at Northside Downs, and that horse is four-year-old Johnnie Jack.
After a narrow loss in the Winners Over class in June 19 to start the season, the altered son of Westwardho Hanover - Water Sprite has been a consistent visitor to the winner's circle in 2021. For the third straight week, in fact, Johnnie Jack and driver Ryan Campbell have been posing for photographer Tanya Romeo after winning the weekly Winners Over feature.
Send postward as the public choice on Saturday (July 10) Johnnie Jack employed similar tactics to last week — make the lead and play catch-me-if-you-can with his five rivals. Campbell had Johnnie Jack at the first quarter by himself in :28.2 before facing a challenge from Southwind Ricardo (Harold Leblanc Jr.) through a :59 opening half.
As the third station was reached in 1:28.2, Southwind Ricardo started to back away from that first-over grind to force Hotlikewasabi (Richie Baryluk) to move three-wide from his second over position. Meanwhile, Johnnie Jack tried to gain some separation around the final turn. A :29.2 closer was more than enough for Johnnie Jack as he hit the wire some three lengths the best in a sharp 1:57.4. Accelerator (Greg Sparling) gave futile chase after a pocket trip and stayed second with Hotlikewasabi edging Southwind Ricardo for third.
Travis Campbell of Gardiner Mines, N.S. owns and trains Johnnie Jack, now a 13-time winner in his career with $17,737 in earnings.
To view the results for the Saturday card of harness racing from Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.