Eastcoast Invader ($7.00) was tested not once, not twice, but three times in Sunday's (July 11) $1,250 winners-over pace at Inverness Raceway — and, despite being attacked from every angle, he grittily held his ground for a 1:58.2 score.
The four-year-old son of Rollwithitharry secured the pocket behind 3-5 favourite Rockemsockem Scott (Gerard Kennedy) before Travis MacLean quarter-moved him to the front. After clearing, Eastcoast Invader faced a stern first-over challenge from Hughgetthecredit (Lewis MacDonell) past a :58.3 half and promptly repelled that rival up the backstretch while Daddy Let Me Drive (Rodney Gillis) prepared to launch a three-wide bid. While the pace slowed to three-quarters in 1:28.4, the pressure on Eastcoast Invader did not wane at any point. Daddy Let Me Drive took aim and Eastcoast Invader parried him, but Rockemsockem Scott loomed the biggest danger off the home turn, having found room to knife through up the pegs. Eastcoast Invader dug as deep as he could to nose out Rockemsockem Scott in a photo finish, while Daddy Let Me Drive checked in third.
Trainer Monica Sutherland co-owns eight-time winner Eastcoast Invader with breeder Todd Sutherland.
To view Sunday's complete results, click the following link: Sunday Results – Inverness Raceway.