The Juggernaut Series kicked off on Saturday night at Sudbury Downs with a pair of popular American Ideal colts taking both $7,500 first leg divisions
. The series is for non-winners of two races or $20,000 (fillies and mares $27,500) lifetime as of July 9, 2011.
Driver David Dowling earned one of his four wins on the card in the first division aboard Schooner ($5.70), a gate-to-wire winner in a career-best 1:57.4. The three-year-old son of American Ideal-Monterey Bound, who notched his second consecutive victory, won by two and a half lengths over a quick-closing Rockadile Man (Jason Ryan) and pocket-sitter Erwins Xample (Mike MacNeill).
The Yvon Lamoureux trainee is owned by Marc Belisle of Val Caron, Ont. He earned one victory in six starts as a freshman and has won four times in 17 sophomore starts for career earnings of $25,301.
Trainer-driver Mario Rivest pulled Only In America ($4.10) from the pocket past the half in the next split and cruised to a four and three-quarter length victory in 1:58.1, his third in a row. Mondaynitepassion (Jason Ryan) finished second with Lady Molly Beattie (Justin Turcotte) 13 lengths in arrears.
Rivest shares ownership of the three-year-old American Ideal-Rose Parade colt with Edward Gorc of Sudbury, Ont. After going winless in three freshman starts, he has won six times in nine tries this year. His earnings stand at $22,157.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Sudbury Downs.