Accelerated Putnam made up a 20 length deficit as he accelerated from last to first to capture the featured $1,000 Winners Over Pace at Northside Downs in 1:57.1 on Saturday afternoon in rein to Shawn Lynk
.
While favourite Cruisinart (Myles Heffernan) maintained a double digit lead on the field of six as he carved out fractions of :27.2, :55.2 and 1:25.3, Accelerated Putnam and Lynk found themselves trailing the leader over 20 lengths by the midway point. Switching into high gear, the four-year-old son of Cookie Dough Boy-Southview Shania cut that margin in half by the third quarter pole as he moved up into third place. Accelerated Putnam continued to gain ground and got up in time to collar the tiring pacesetter by a head in a career-best clocking of 1:57.1. Woodmere Westerner (Greg Sparling) finished one length behind in third.
The time of the mile lowered the track record for aged pacing horses by two-fifths of a second, which was held by St Pete Star and Andro Peanut. Gelding Outlawpositivcharg holds the 1:55 overall track record for aged males.
Trainer John McMaster co-owns the winner of three races from seven seasonal starts with Karen McMaster of River Ryan, N.S. Accelerated Putnam earned his 11th career win and bumped his bankroll to $8,725.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.