Tobins Gem was never better than on Saturday, July 11 at Northside Downs, pacing to a new lifetime mark in the faster of two $16,200 Atlantic Sires Stakes "A" divisions contested.
Starting from the innermost post, Tobins Gem got away in third early for driver Clare MacDonald as Starship Sharky (Mark Pezzarello) put up opening panels of :27 and :56.2. MacDonald edged to the outer flow just prior to the midway mark and impressively cleared to the top around the turn before heading down the backside. Afrer three quarters in 1:25.1, MacDonald had Tobins Gem on cruise control for the final quarter as the pacing gelding tripped the timer in 1:55.2. Favoured Oceanview Lou (Brodie MacPhee) finished second, just less than four lengths back, with Darbies Fancy (Pooker McCallum) rounding out the top trio.
A son of Flameproof Hanover-Grace Seelster owned by Rennison Racing Inc. of Truro, N.S., Tobins Gem ($6.80) is now a five-time winner with $32,435 in career earnings. George Rennison trains.
Shekhan delivered a 9-1 upset in the first ATSS "A" division, closing from off cover to score in 1:58 for driver Colin and trainer Morgan Sheppard.
With Tiziano (MacDonald), Windemere Britt (MacPhee) and Smilin With Lou (McCallum) all taking turns on the lead early, Shekhan and Sheppard sat back off the front-end speed in fourth. Smilin Lou cleared through a :29 opener and hit the half in :57.3, but favoured Windemere Britt was back out to challenge. Sheppard briefly followed that one into second over position as the third station was reached in 1:28, then fanned into the three path around the far turn. Turning for home, Shekhan shot past his rivals and paced away in the lane for the lifetime best tally. Windemere Britt was second best, 2-3/4 lengths of the winner, followed by Smiling With Lou.
A son of Blood Money-Just Breathe, Shekhan is owned by Walter Deagle of Inverness, N.S. He's now a four-time winner in his career with $32,330 in purses accrued. The longest shot on the board returned $21.80 to win.
Galway Bay ($3.80) prevailed in the single $6,000 ATSS "B" division in 2:00.3 for trainer-driver-owner Monica Sutherland of Port Hood, N.S.
Ranked Contender ($10.50) emerged unscathed and victorious in an eventful $1,600 Winners Over Pace. Kountry Diamond stumbled heading out of the turn approaching the half and nearly fell, but Mark Pezzarello maintained a strong hold and managed to collect the pacer — who, at the time, didn't have another horse following behind in the pocket as Alritealritealrite and driver Brett Leblanc had started an overland bid. The trailing drivers kept their horses on their feet, but both Leblanc and Pezzarello pulled up their respective mounts and did not finish.
Brodie MacPhee and Ranked Contender wore down Elm Grove Qwiggly (Larry Snow) down the backside and pulled away to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:58.2. Hugh Heff (Randy Getto) finished in the show spot.
A six-year-old son of Tobago Cays-Euphoria Seelster, Ranked Contender is owned by his trainer, Peter MacKinnon of Sydney. N.S. The pacer picked up his 15th career victory, and now sports $20,564 in purses.
For the full results from the card of harness racing in Cape Breton on Saturday, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)