Fredericton Raceway treated its fans to a terrific Monday matinee, with three divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings contested in addition to the featured $6,000 Walter Dale Memorial Invitational Pace.
The post position gods weren’t very kind to Mcapulco, who drew Post 7 in the Walter Dale Memorial Invitational Pace, but the purse cheque gods were very kind to the veteran.
Brody MacPhee left quickly and tucked into the three-hole with the seven-year-old son of Mcardle-Smooth Latin N, who watched Arabica and Joseph Michael battle by the quarter-pole in :27.3. They continued their tussle to the mid-way point in :56.2 before Joseph Michael held up the white flag. Mcapulco tipped out and went after Arabica, and they raced past the three-quarter pole in 1:26. Mcapulco edged away before the head of the lane and drew clear to win by 1-1/2 lengths over race favourite Malek Hanover, with Arabica fourth-placed-third. Epanephrine was third-placed-fifth for an interference infraction late in the mile.
The 1:54.2 clocking established a new track record for older pacing horses and it went down as the fastest mile in the history of Fredericton Raceway. The previous mark of 1:55 was set by Shannon Commander in 1993.
Jackie Matheson trains the 23-time winner, who is owned by Patrick Morris of Charlottetown, PE. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his overall earnings to $3240,391.
The first of two $9,780 ATSS ‘A’ divisions for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings went to Mr Thompson and driver Mike Stevenson in 1:56.3. The son of Articulator-Yankee Checkers survived a first-over journey to win by a half-length margin over the tempo-setting Touch Of Lightning. Third prize was earned by First Art Down.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, Mr Thompson improved his 2012 record to 3-1-0 in six tries for trainer Wade Sorrie. The career winner of $43,383 is owned by Boyd Macdonald Prodce Ltd of Crapaud and Daniel Ross of Belfast, PE.
Dukes Up took the second division in a career-best clocking of 1:57 for driver Kenny Arsenault and trainer Kevin MacLean. The son of Fit For Life-Duchess Of Dexter enjoyed a pocket trip behind Putnams Storm through fractions of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:28.2. Arsenault found clearance in the lane and the gelding uncorked a :28-second closing panel to win by three-quarters of a length over Putnams Storm. Third prize went to This Bird Will Fly.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite in the seven-horse affair, Dukes Up improved his 2012 record to 1-1-1 from just seven trips to the track. The five-time winner has stashed away more than $46,000 to date for owner Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, PE.
In the lone $2,000 ATSS ‘B’ Division for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings it was Putnams New Year turning in a front-stepping score in 1:59 for driver Todd Trites. The son of Southwind Balsam-Woodmere Heidi got away third before muscling to the top shortly past the quarter pole. He led through middle splits of 1:00 and 1:29.3 before tacking on a :29.2 closing panel en route to the win. Runner-up So Classy was 7-1/2 lengths in arrears, with C L Brigadoon a distant third.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, Putnams New Year picked up his second lifetime victory for owner Wesley Patriquin. It was his debut for new trainer Michelle MacKay.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Fredericton Raceway.
Impressive! I was wondering
Impressive! I was wondering where Mcapulco had gone, I used to follow him on the Woodbine circuit, glad to see he is still competing at the top level!
The track record was broken
The track record was broken as well today, old one was 1:55, which held for 19 years. The new one is 154 and 2.