Pretty Handsome ($2.70) lived up to odds-on billing in the featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Pace on Sunday (July 21) at Georgian Downs, withstanding a first-over grind to notch his third win in five tries.
The four-year-old Mach Three gelding and Colin Kelly floated into a close tracking position behind Talbotcreekwhiskey (Jason Ryan) and ASAP Hanover (Jody Jamieson), stalking early splits of :26.2 and :55.1 before commencing his first-over bid up the far side. Pretty Handsome turned up the pressure on Talbotcreekwhiskey nearing three-quarters in 1:23.1 and emerged with the lead midway on the far turn — but with American Wiggle (Alfie Carroll) looming off his back nearing the home turn.
After putting away Talbotcreekwhiskey, Pretty Handsome protected his lead over American Wiggle to the line, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:51. Uptown Funk (J Harris) rallied into third after following third-over cover out of last.
Andrew McCabe trains 21-time winner Pretty Handsome for Glenview Livestock Ltd.
In the sub-featured $10,500 Preferred 2 for pacing mares, Dazzling Rockette ($17.80) vaulted off cover to a minor upset, evading the late-chasing Filly Forty Seven for a 1:53.3 score, the 33rd of her career.
Driver Ed Hensley — who co-owns the seven-year-old Rocknroll Hanover mare with trainer Ashleigh Hensley — moved Dazzling Rockette second-over behind Cenalta Call Girl (Ryan) up the backstretch behind an ambitious pace set by 9-5 favourite Sudden Passing (Carroll), and the pair vaulted off cover on the final turn. After eclipsing Cenalta Call Girl well before the eighth pole, Dazzling Rockette evaded the late charge of Filly Forty Seven (Travis Cullen) to prevail by 1-3/4 lengths, while Cenalta Call Girl held third after levelling off.
BR Ezliksndymornin ($3.00) used similar tactics in the $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace, moving uncovered from midfield en route to a 1:53.2 win in line to Jody Jamieson. Carmen Auciello trains the Vintage Master entire for the Rolling Hills Racing Stables.
To view Sunday evening's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.