Better Get Ready pulled off a 21-1 upset in the $23,700 Baby To Boomer Series Final on Saturday night at Sudbury Downs.
Driven by Mike MacNeill for trainer Jay Polifroni, Better Get Ready followed heavy favourite Dannys Atthedance (Paul MacLean) three-wide at the third quarter mark and sprinted home to prevail over that foe by three-quarters of a length in a new lifetime mark of 1:55.4. Pass The Deuce (Jason Ryan) finished six lengths behind in third.
The E Dees Cam-Keystone Tiara gelding, who was a runner-up and winner in the opening legs of the series before finishing eighth in round three, paid $44 to win. He has won half of his eight sophomore starts while banking over $23,000 for owner Jim Polifroni of Sudbury, Ont.
The Baby To Boomer Pacing Series is a late closer for horses that are five years old and younger that are non winners of one race or $7,500 in lifetime purses. Fillies and mares are allowed $10,000. Winners over $15,000 lifetime are not eligible.
In addition to the series action, Sudbury fans were treated to a pair of track record performances on Saturday night.
CMR Bresha wore down pacesetter Hobbys Hobbit to win her $7,500 claiming assignment in 1:54.3. The time of the mile was one full second faster than the former record for aged pacing mares held by Manvers Short Cut. The six-year-old Mach Three-Armbro Windmill mare was driven by Justin Turcotte for trainer-owner Yvon Duclos of Azilda, Ont.
The aged trotting record for horses and geldings was also lowered as Victors Valiant front-stepped his way to a 1:57.2 triumph in a condition trot. The mile time shaved two-fifths of a second off Zorgwijk Fortunate's former record and matched the all-age trot record, held by mare Flora Dream. Gerry Belanger drove the five-year-old Valley Victory-Crunchness gelding for trainer Philippe Belanger and owner Robert Deschaine of Windsor, Ont.
Trainer Brittany Robertson won three of Saturday's nine races with the streaking MG Home Run ($5.40), Apache White Foot ($9.30), and Canbec Hooligan ($3.60).
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Sudbury Downs.