Foolish Justice took command from the outset and then held off a furious late rally from Stinger Blue Chip to capture the $57,000 Summertime Pacing Series Final
for three-year-old colts and geldings on Saturday night at Mohawk Racetrack.
Showing a different side of himself, Foolish Justice blasted to the lead from post nine for driver Randy Waples and hung up an opening quarter in :27.3. He was then able to steal a breather in the second panel and posted a half in :56.4.
It was a different story in the third quarter, however, as Stinger Blue Chip came on the attack and the top pair battled neck and neck past the third marker in 1:24.1. In fact, Stinger Blue Chip was able to poke a head in front midway down the stretch but Foolish Justice battled back at the inside gamely to score the hard-fought decision.
Stinger Blue Chip was a neck back in second spot with Greystone Cash finishing another three lengths back in third spot. The winner returned $6.50 for the victory.
It was the fifth win in just 11 starts this season for the Mark Austin-trained son of I Am A Fool-Do Me Justice who is owned by Daniel Smith of London, Ontario. The lion’s share of the purse vaulted him past $85,000 in seasonal earnings.
On Saturday’s undercard, Bolero Charles made the step up to the $50,000 Open level successfully and won his third straight at Mohawk with a 1:49.4 decision over Shadow Play and Hyperion Hanover.
Steve Charlton trains the seven-year-old son of Jennas Beach Boy-Bolero Takara for Larocque Racing Stb. Inc. of Thornhill, Ontario. Paul MacKenzie subbed in the bike with the 24-time winner, who has earned in excess of $371,000 to date.
(WEG)
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click here.