Northside Downs rolled out the red carpet for stars of the Atlantic Sires Stakes program on Tuesday afternoon, and fans were treated to a premium card which featured a track record-setting performance by Rustico Tapdancer
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The daughter of Meadowagogo-Askmetodance survived a first-over journey to take the first of three $4,000 divisions of the ATSS for three-year-old trotters, and she did so in 2:04.1. The record-setting mile eclipsed the former mark of 2:05.4 set by Rustico Trisox on August 2, 2008.
In rein to Brian MacPhee, Rustico Tapdancer held on to win by a quarter of a length over Unstoppable Image. Third prize went to the tempo setter, Scarlet Patti.
The Joey Pineau pupil, who was sent off at odds of 10-1, is owned by breeder John Pineau along with Myron Ford and Sharon MacLeod. She was unraced as a rookie, but has picked up a pair of wins in the first four starts of her sophomore season.
Diamond Mine best his sophomore foes with a 2:04.2 score in his $4,000 assignment for driver Mike Stevenson. The three-year-old son of PJs Nabby-RRR Diamond came first over and drew clear to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Rustico Nicky. Glencove Umay rounded out the top three.
Cynthia MacDonald, who trains the gelding, shares ownership on the square gaiter with Tanya MacKinnon of Souris, PEI. It was the first win of the season and the third lifetime score for the career winner of $23,412.
B J Eldorado took the other split for the three-year-olds when he drew clear to win by three-quarters of a length over Southfield Sam in 2:05.1. Dusty Lane Ace rounded out the top three in the $4,000 affair.
Bred and owned by Bert Honkoop of Montague, PEI, B J Eldorado won for the fifth time in his career while pushing his lifetime earnings over $18,000.
Two-year-old trotters battled in a pair of $5,340 divisions on the same program, with top honours going to Maple Leaf Spirit and Waiting On A Woman.
Maple Leaf Spirit has made three lifetime starts, and he’s now won all three of them thanks to a 2:09.4 triumph in his $5,340 assignment for trainer/driver Ralph Annear, who also bred and owns the daughter of Meadowagogo-Maple Leaf Legacy.
She sliced out fractions of :32.3, 1:07.1 and 1:39 before trotting home in :30.4 to win by a two-length margin over Red Lobster. Rustico Bow grabbed the show dough.
Waiting On A Woman, in rein to Corey MacPherson, showed no mercy to the competition in the other division thanks to his 18-3/4 length romp in a time of 2:06.2. Howmacswickedflame was second and Dusty Lane Tilly finished third.
The homebred son of Northern Bailey-Southwind Faith is owned by trainer Mitch Tierney along with David Tierney of Cornwall, PEI. The youngster has put together a 2-1-0 record in his first three assignments.
To view Tuesday’s results, click here.