Doc Awesome delivered a big upset in the $6,250 Preferred 2 Pace at Summerside Raceway on Tuesday, July 7 as he defeated millionaire Hellabalou and Miki Shan N, who was previously undefeated in the Maritimes, ahead of Sunday's Governor's Plate eliminations.
Adam Merner engineered the winning trip in the 13th-race feature with 21-1 shot Doc Awesome. He had the gelding in front through the first turn before yielding to Hellabalou (Paul Langille) at the quarter in :28 to sit the pocket through :56.2 and 1:24.3 middle splits. Doc Awesome tipped out on the final turn and edged out a game Hellabalou down the lane to prevail by a neck in 1:52.2. Miki Shan N (Corey MacPherson), fifth turning for the wire, rushed home for third.
The winning six-year-old son of All Bets Off-Direct Macawesome is trained by Darla MacEachern, who shares ownership with Allen Gaudet and Mike Cameron of Summerside, P.E.I. Doc Awesome is now two-for-seven this season and 13-for-87 lifetime with $56,748 in earnings.
Merner had a driving grand slam on the program, also winning with Ryder Roo ($5.40) in Race 2 for trainer Earl Watts, Tobins Cover Girl ($10.10) in the ninth from his own stable and Little Leroy ($2.70) in the 14th-race finale for trainer Joe Baxter.
Badgirl Bridgette ($4.10) delivered a sharp closing score in the 10th race as Jason Hughes guided the Bill Lanigan trainee to a 1:53.4 victory.
Mr Harris ($11.20) opened the card with a 1:57.3 victory for Langille as the first half of the Watts training double.
Mario Macri trainee Dollys Sky ($8.50) captured the fourth race in 1:59.1 for driver Ken Murphy as part of a triple by the Harrington, P.E.I. driver. Murphy also won with Molly Malone ($5) in Race 11 for trainer Fred Paynter in 1:56.4 and Brookdale J Mac ($12.70) in the 12th race in 1:56 for trainer Phil Sizer.
Live racing continues on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Red Shores Racetrack and Casino at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results - Summerside Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)