Fans at Truro Raceway were treated to a stakes-filled program Thursday at Truro Raceway, as the half-mile oval hosted a number of Atlantic Sires Stakes events
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In the first of two $7,320 divisions for two-year-old trotters, Lil Miss Abbie parked past the half and still drew off to a 3-1/4 length triumph in a track record-equaling clocking of 2:05.2 for driver Mike Stevenson. Buddy Moko was next best, with Sweetwater Rukkus rounding out the top three finishers.
The victory improved the filly’s record to 2-0-0 in three tries. Wayne Bell bred, trains and owns the daughter of Bo W-Mystery Balance, who has stashed away $6,291 to date.
Perfect Posture, who was making his pari-mutuel debut, was an easy winner in the other division in a time of 2:08 for driver Brian MacPhee and trainer Donald Sweet. The son of Red Flamethrower-Wicked Whisper led the field through fractions of :31, 1:04 and 1:36.4 before coasting home in :31.1 to seal the deal by 1-1/2 lengths. My Daisy Duke was second under the finish line, with Majian Dillon taking home third prize.
Melvin Willis of Cambridge, ON holds the papers on the trotting colt, who was a $6,500 purchase from last year’s Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale.
In the first of two $7,100 divisions for three-year-old trotters, Maple Leaf Spirit turned in a gate-to-wire win in 2:02.1 for trainer/driver Ralph Annear. The three-year-old daughter of Meadowagogo-Maple Leaf Legacy led through intervals of :30.2, 1:00.3 and 1:32.4 before using a :29.2 closing panel to win by 1-1/4 lengths over The Iceman Aireth. The show dough was earned by Harmony T.
Sent off as the 4-5 choice, Maple Leaf Spirit won for the third time this season in as many tries for Annear and partner Steven Sorrie of Montague, PEI. The homebred is now an 11-time winner who has banked in excess of $45,000 in her career.
Waiting On A Woman extended his winning streak to 10-in-a-row thanks to his 2:01.2 tally in the second division for the three-year-old trotters. The son of Northern Bailey-Southwind Faith was on top through fractions of :30.2, 1:02.4 and 1:32 before sprinting home in :29.2 to win by 9-1/4 lengths over West River Victory. B J High Meadow rounded out the top three finishers.
The winning time also respresented a new track record for three-year-old trotting geldings. The former mark of 2:02.1 was set by Oysterbed Ivanhoe on July 24, 2004.
Corey MacPherson mapped out the winning trip for the Mitch Tierney trainee, who is now 3-for-3 this season after going 10-for-12 last year. Tierney shares ownership on the career winner of $44,965.
The first of three $7,180 “A” divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies went to Sweetwater Teaha, who front-stepped to a 2:00.3 triumph for Team MacPhee. Brody MacPhee hustled the Astronomical-Keystone Vanity miss through panels of :29.3, 1:01.1 and 1:31.4 before using a :28.4 closing panel to seal the deal. The Thomas MacPhee trainee drew clear to win by 7-1/4 lengths over R Es Nancy, with Pictonian Jewel fourth-placed third as a result of Cash An Clay finishing third-placed-fourth for causing interference going to the half.
Raymond Deagle of Inverness, NS owns the filly, who has constructed a 2-0-1 record in her first four tries.
J J Maywest picked up the third win of her career thanks to her 1:59.3 score in the second split for driver Mike Stevenson and trainer Blaine McKenna. The daughter of Western Paradise-Jenn Of Art managed to track cover most of the way before charging to the lead and driving away to win by 4-1/2 lengths over Bettim Theresa. Elm Grove Girlzone grabbed the show dough.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, J J Maywest now boasts a $7,772 bankroll for McKenna and partner Harold Culleton of Ellerslie and Gary Aitken of Summerside, PEI. They shelled out $3,000 to purchase the filly from last year’s Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale.
Malabrigo kept her undefeated record intact thanks to her 1:59.4 triumph in the final division for trainer Marc Campbell. Making her third lifetime start, the daughter of Western Paradise-Lots Abunny led the field through fractions of :29.4, 1:01 and 1:31 before uncorking a :28.4 closing panel to post the 1-1/2 length win over Pictonian Amanda. Elm Grove Gypsy finished third.
The $11,500 purchase from last year’s Nova Scotia Provincial Exhibition Yearling Sale has banked $10,134 to date for the Greenoaks Farm of Mississauga, ON.
There were also a trio of $2,500 “B” divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies presented on the 15-race card, with Showhall (2:02), Just Lovey (2:05.1) and A As Glory (2:05.2) winning their respective assignments.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Truro Raceway.