Undefeated two-year-old male pacers Malevolent and Im Sir Scarlet added Atlantic Sires Stakes victories to their perfect records on Friday evening, July 26 at Truro Raceway.
Both rookies followed up successful career debuts in the P.E.I. Colts Stakes on July 18 at Summerside Raceway with winning efforts in their respective $10,540 'A' divisions of the opening leg of the Atlantic Sires Stakes.
Malevolent was the fastest division winner, lowering his mark to 1:57.4 for trainer/driver Paul Langille.
Unhurried through a :29.2 opening panel, 6-5 favourite Malevolent swept from third to first rounding the turn towards the grandstand and cut mid-splits of :59.2 and 1:29 before sealing the deal with a :28.4 final frame. All My Lovin and David Dowling overtook Sergeant Crowley and Robert Laffin for the runner-up honours, finishing 2-1/2 lengths behind the winner.
Bred by Gary MacPherson of North Wiltshire, P.E.I., the Malicious-Lady Kelleigh Anne gelding is a full sibling to Langille-campaigned two-time Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Malgnity. Malevolent is owned by Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner, N.S., and Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S.
Trainer/driver Darryl MacLean's homebred colt Im Sir Scarlet led all the way in his division for a career-best 1:59.1 victory.
The 1-2 favourite cleared to command into the backstretch the first time and cruised through fractions of :29.1, 1:01 and 1:30 for the 1-1/4-length victory. Saulsbrook Rockruf and Brodie MacPhee shot through inside to best the pocket-popping Here On Earth and Adam Merner for second.
The Malicious-Feel The Rhythm colt is co-owned by Gordon MacLean of Winsloe, P.E.I., and Stephen Downey of Quispamsis, N.B.
A pair of $6,000 'B' divisions went in 2:00.4 with Timberlea Duke (Malicious-Duchess Killean) and Like A King (Arthur Blue Chip-Twin B Cuzisaidso) earning their first career wins. Corey MacPherson worked out a perfect pocket trip for the Joseph Baxter-trained Timberlea Duke while Like A King rallied from last to first to prevail in a photo finish in rein to David Dowling for trainer Don Milligan.
MacPherson doubled up in the stakes action with the 2:00.2 maiden-breaking Onions Te Go (Bet The Moon-Modern Best) as the Lanny Hanscombe trainee battled back when faced with a backstretch challenge in his 'B' division.
In regular racing action, Rockin Corona delivered on his 1-9 pari-mutuel promise in the $2,500 Winners Over Pace, scoring in the final strides in 1:56 flat over Fifth Estate for trainer/driver Darren Crowe. The four-year-old Rockin Image-Rosagatha gelding, who trailed the field of a half dozen pacers early on, followed the cover of Fifth Estate and chased down that late leader to earn his third straight victory and sixth win in 11 starts since arriving on the East Coast this past spring.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click the following link: Friday Results - Truro Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada; photo of Im Sir Scarlet from a previous win)