The Atlantic Sires Stakes was on display in a big way Tuesday evening at Truro Raceway, as rookies and sophomores strutted their stuff in nine divisions of the ATSS on the 10-race card.
Two-year-old trotters went toe-to-toe in a trio of $6,460 ‘A’ divisions, with Da Master capturing the first split in 2:08.1 for trainer/driver Terry ‘Rubber Ducky’ Gallant. The son of Neal-Youlooklikeanangel sat a two-hole trip behind Fine Thanks before popping out late and hauling down that foe en route to the win by 1-3/4 lengths. Race favourite Fine Thanks held on for the runner-up award, with third prize going to Craigh Na Dun.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, the colt improved his rookie record to 1-0-1 from two tries for Gallant and partner Eric Johnston. The trotter was a $4,800 purchase from last year’s Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Yearling Sale.
Oceanview Pancho survived a first-over trip in the second division and came away victorious in 2:07.4 for driver Mike Stevenson. The son of Neal-Rose Run Frances wore down the tempo-setting Glencove Zani, who led through fractions of :31.3, 1:04.2 and 1:36.4 before tiring. Oceanview Pancho’s :31-second kicker earned him the one-length decision over Cardigan Jack (3p2). Glencove Zani (2p3) committed an interference infraction shortly after the start.
Trainer Paul Larrabee shares ownership on the rookie with breeder William Roloson, and together they watched the trotter lift his earnings to $4,557 with the victory.
High Bid eked out a narrow triumph in the final division for driver Walter Cheverie, who guided the gelding to the nose decision in 2:09. The son of white-hot sire Neal got away in the two-hole before coming first-over on Time Warp, who led through intervals of :32.2, 1:06 and 1:38. High Bid used a :30.4 kicker to post the win over Time Warp and Rustico Duchess.
Sent off as the 3-5 favourite, High Bid is owned and trained by Joey Smallwood of Stratford, PE. The gelding is 2-for-2 to start his career and he’s stashed earnings of $5,877 to date.
In the first of three ‘A’ divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies it was Glory Jean celebrating a 2:03.2 triumph in her $7,200 assignment. Gord Hennessey treated the pacing lass to a two-hole trip behind Scarlet Saphire, who carved out fractions of :30.1, 1:01.2 and 1:32.4. Glory Jean fired up the engine in the lane and kicked home in :30.2 to win by half a length over Scarlet Saphire, with Howmacfiesty taking home third prize.
Tom Weatherbie trains the homebred daughter of Brandons Cowboy-Seawind Glory for owner/breeder Blair Hansen of Charlottetown, PE. She’s nabbed a win and a second-place finish in her first two attempts, while banking $5,665 in the process.
Scarlet Safari remains undefeated thanks to her 2:03.3 triumph in the second division. Marc Campbell took over command with his charge shortly past the quarter pole, and once in charge they led the field through fractions of 1:03 and 1:34.1. A :29.2 closing quarter earned the filly the win by 2-1/4 lengths over West River Ambyr. Riverboat Dancer completed the Triactor ticket.
Darryl MacLean trains the daughter of Articulator-Kona Queen for Gordon MacLean of Winsloe, PE. Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, Scarlet Safari has banked more than $7,500 in her career.
Howmac Annie followed up last week’s maiden-breaking triumph with a 2:01 score in the final division. Gord Hennessey sent the Tom Weatherbie trainee to immediate command from Post 3 and the rookie rolled the group through fractions of :30.1, 1:00.2 and 1:31.1 before sprinting home in :29.4 to win by a half-length margin over Amirightorwrong. Brookdale Liz took home third prize in the $7,200 affair.
Kyle Gardiner, Michael Currie and Jerry MacKinnon own the daughter of Camystic-Lady Kelleigh Anne, who was a $4,000 purchase from last year’s Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale. She’s already stashed away more than $7,500 to kick off her career.
Paymenowpaymelater piled up another win thanks to her 2:04 triumph in the first $8,680 ‘A’ division for three-year-old trotters. Marc Campbell had the filly on the move going to the quarter pole, and in a matter of strides she cleared to the top. She led the group through middle splits of 1:01.4 and 1:33.3 before scooting home in :30.2 to win by 4-1/2 lengths over Suicide Shift. Dusty Lane Jacob rounded out the top three finishers.
Earl Watts trains the daughter of Northern Bailey-Credibility for Wade Peconi of Stanchel, PE. The 11-time winner is now 2-for-2 this season after going 9-for-12 last year. She’s banked more than $37,000 to date.
J K Blaze went to the front and didn’t look back in his $8,680 assignment. Walter Cheverie rolled the gelding through intervals of :30, 1:01.2 and 1:32 before tacking on a :30.4 closing panel for the 2:02.4 victory. It was 2-1/4 lengths back to runner-up Wait For Me, with Ladyfoolinaround rounding out the top three finishers.
Joey Smallwood of Stratford, PE owns and trains the five-time winner who is 2-for-3 this year. He’s stashed away more than $22,000 in his career.
The lone $2,500 ‘B’ division for two-year-old pacing fillies went to Gigs And Reels and trainer/driver Darren Crowe in 2:03.2. The daughter of Ameripan Gigolo-Island United led the field through panels of :29.3, 1:01.4 and 1:32.3 before scooting home in :30.4 to win by 13-1/4 lengths over Angie B. Third prize was earned by Shezs A Humdinger.
William Shearer, Roy Springett, Charles Piper, Jr. and Robert Siteman share ownership on the youngster who was making her pari-mutuel debut. She was a $5,600 purchase from last year’s Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Yearling Sale.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Truro Raceway.