Gary Volpe's Uptown Funk ($7.40) delivered a front-pacing masterpiece in Sunday night's (July 28) featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap Pace at Georgian Downs, out-pacing Paparazzi Hanover by three-quarters of a length.
J Harris geared the four-year-old Shadow Play gelding up to out-sprint Paparazzi Hanover (Travis Cullen) to the point through a :26.2 first quarter, and the pair maintained an uncontested advantage through splits of :55.2 and 1:23.3 with their four rivals in single-file formation behind them.
Off the home turn, Harris called upon Uptown Funk for more pace as Paparazzi Hanover chased from the pocket and American Wiggle (Alfie Carroll) mounted a three-wide stretch rally, and he dug in to prevail for the 11th time in his career in 1:51.3. Paparazzi Hanover narrowly held second over American Wiggle, while odds-on favourite Brave World could only muster a fourth-place finish.
Tony O'Sullivan trains Uptown Funk, who now owns two wins in three Georgian Downs attempts this season.
In the co-featured $10,500 Preferred 2 Handicap for pacing mares, Filly Forty Seven ($12.50) and Travis Cullen used a second-over trip up the backstretch en route to a minor upset, collaring This Dragon Rocks (Harris) by a neck in 1:53.1. Cullen co-owns the five-year-old Proven Lover mare, now a 24-time winner, with Paul Sanders.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.