Driver Samuel Fillion commanded the spotlight on Saturday, July 19 at Georgian Downs as he won five of the evening’s eight races and was no closer than third at the half in any of them.
In the opener, Fillion sent Cheese Party ($6.30) three-wide around stalling cover on the final turn, and the mare exploded down the lane to get up by a half-length in 1:53.4.
The reinsman doubled up in the second race as Exquisite Dancer ($14.80) chased down pacesetter Ridin The Rodeo (Austin Sorrie) from third at the top of the stretch to score by a half-length in 1:57.4.
Fillion returned to the winner’s circle with his next drive in Race 4. He found a way out of the three-hole for Watch Me Dance ($9) on the final turn, sending her five-wide at the head of the stretch, and she soared home to win by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:57.
In the fifth race, Lady Hamish ($27.40) sustained a first-over bid from the half to the stretch and fought gamely to prevail by a neck in a four-across finish in 1:56, giving Fillion the grand slam.
Fillion completed his evening in the seventh race as Flight Crew N ($3.60), the only favourite he drove all night, surged late to nab tiring leader Razzin Jazz (Daryl Thiessen) by a neck in the final strides in 1:54.3.
Overall, Fillion went five-for-six on the card and improved his seasonal totals to 176 wins in 1,129 starts. He shot up the drivers’ standings and now sits fourth, eight wins behind leader Austin Sorrie. The reinsman set personal bests in wins and earnings last year, eclipsing 300 tallies and $2 million in those respective categories, and is 19 wins away from the 1,000 mark.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)