Driver Samuel Fillion put together a five-star performance at Georgian Downs on Saturday, July 26, winning five of the evening’s eight races to shoot up in the drivers’ standings.
The pilot was perfect through the first four races and began that natural grand slam in dramatic fashion as he guided Justine Ray ($14.70) to a fast-closing victory in 1:55.3. Locked in the three-hole approaching the final turn, he found a way out for the filly, and she went from sixth to first in the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length.
Rockford Peach ($8.40) took off on the homeward turn after a first-up bid, struck the front at the top of the lane, and held on by a half-length to win the second race in 1:57.1.
Fillion captured the third race with Meadowbrook Amy ($3.80), popping the pocket on the backstretch to put the filly on top, and she rolled to a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:58.
Cheese Party ($4) won the fourth race with a three-wide charge on the backstretch. After breaking stride momentarily before three-quarters, she resumed her advance and pushed clear, winning by a half-length in 1:54.3.
Fillion completed the five-win performance with Hillbilly Jet ($4.40) in the seventh race. He put the veteran mare on top at the quarter, and she resisted a host of challengers in the final quarter-mile to prevail by a neck in 1:57.1.
With his Saturday haul, Fillion moved into third on the leaderboard as he aims for a third straight driving title at Georgian. He is two wins behind Austin Sorrie and Daryl Thiessen, who are tied for first with 21 wins. Fillion is winning at a 15.8 per cent rate overall this season with 185 victories. He is now 10 trips to the winner’s circle away from 1,000.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Georgian Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)