Fresh off a career-best victory in the Maritime Breeders Final, Junebugs Baby ($3.40) turned in another winning effort in his $9,520 Atlantic Sires Stakes 'A' division for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Saturday afternoon at Northside Downs.
Driven by Greg Sparling, Junebugs Baby fired to command from post four and led the field of six through fractions of :30.3, 1:02 and 1:31.2 before holding off the pocket-pulling Putnams Storm and Todd Trites for the three-quarter length score in 1:59. Mr Thompson, driven by Mike Stevenson, rallied home off cover to show.
The Western Paradise-Carols June Bug colt is owned by trainer and breeder Fraser Turnbull of Dominion, N.S., along with partner John Turnbull Jr. of Glace Bay, N.S. He is now four-for-five (two-for-two in ATSS action) this year with $21,706 banked. Lifetime, Junebugs Baby has won nine times while never missing the board in 12 starts for earnings totalling $35,703.
Last year's Atlantic Breeders Crown champion Astronomical Union ($5.70) earned the first victory of his three-year-old campaign with a 1:58.3 wire-to-wire effort in the other 'A' division on the card.
With the inside post advantage, the Astronomical-Signature Seelster gelding and driver Mike Stevenson grabbed the lead off the gate and carved out fractions of :29.3, 1:00.3 and 1:30.3 while holding off the Todd Trites-driven Putnams New Year for the quarter length victory. Favourite Lyndale Royal and Brodie MacPhee finished two and three-quarter lengths behind in third off a pocket trip.
Kevin MacLean trains the chestnut gelding, who has won four times and banked $32,468 thus far in his career, for owner Reginald MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I.
Saulsbrook Blaze ($4.70) wore down favourite Camco Quietime to win the lone $2,500 'B' division in a career-best 1:59.1 with Clare MacDonald aboard for trainer Gardner McCallum and owner Ryan Stewart of Stewiacke, N.S. The Force Of Life-Viking Sorceress, who was second by just a neck in his only other Sires Stakes start on May 27 at Inverness Raceway, has won half of his 10 races in his debut season.
In other action, 35-year-old Port Morien, N.S. horseman Blair MacKenzie earned his first driving victory aboard his own trainee Pictonian Pasha ($18) in the second race conditioner. The five-year-old Coasttocoast Yankee mare converted from the pocket to win in 2:02.2.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.