Malevolent came into the eliminations of the Barrieau McIsaac Memorial with a target on his back, and he certainly established himself as the favourite in next week's final after a track record performance on Saturday, Aug. 23 at Connell Park Raceway in Woodstock, N.B.
Trainer-driver Paul Langille allowed My Happy Place (Gilles Barrieau) to settle on the lead in the second $10,000 elim in the stakes event for three-year-old pacers, then started his move with Malevolent down the backside through a sharp :27.4 opening quarter. Clearing after the three-eighths, Malevolent fronted the field while maintaining serious speed — a :55.4 half followed by a 1:24.2 third station. With One Wicked Man (Kenny Arsenault) looming the danger first over, Malevolent maintained his position with a :28.1 final quarter to trip the timer in 1:53.3. One Wicked Man finished second, more than two lengths in arrears, with My Happy Place and Lady Hess (Marc Campbell) completing the top quartet.
Langille trains Malevolent (Malicious - Lady Kelleigh Anne) for owners Debbie Francis of Sweets Corner and Rosanne Langille of Lower Onslow, N.S. That's the gelding's 14th career victory in 19 appearances, with earnings of $134,023 in his impressive career. He paid $3.80 to win.
The time of the mile erased the previous divisional track standard of 1:54.4 established by Jackies Boy in the 2024 edition of this stakes event.
Income Approach was dismissed by the betting public at odds of 14-1, but driver Colin DeCourcey handled the son of State Treasurer - Bold Amoretto with all the confidence of a 1-9 shot in the first Barrieau McIsaac elim. Sitting fifth and last at the :28.1 opening quarter hung up by favoured DJ Mustang (Marc Campbell), Income Approach was right-lined by DeCourcey around the three-eighths mark and brushed to to the front with authority to clear DJ Mustang and open up a quick two-length lead at the :59.4 half. With DJ Mustang unable to muster a response, Income Approach widened his margin on top with every stride, Up by four at the 1:27.3 third station, Income Approach hit the wire eight lengths to the good with the mile timed in 1:56.4. DJ Mustang stayed for second with Camco Lucas (Brodie MacPhee) and Woodmere Rocketman (Gilles Barrieau) next across the wire to earn a spot in next week's final.
Rachael MacDonald of Black Point, N.S. owns and trains Income Approach, who went the mile of his life to notch his second win of the season and sixth lifetime victory. He's now a winner of $39,595 in his 23-start career. He returned $30 to win.
The top four finishers from each elimination return next Saturday (Aug. 30) for the $70,000E final.
Dr. Mitchell Downey's Nuttin But Finesse ($2.30) repeated his success in the James "Roach" MacGregor Gold Cup & Saucer Consolation with a hard-fought grinding victory in the $1,700 Wilson Memorial Winners Over Pace, besting Whats In The Esky A (Colin DeCourcey) by a 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.1. Mike Downey engineered the winning trip behind Nuttin But Finesse for trainer Ellen Stevenson, providing the seven-year-old son of Art Major - Nuttin But Trouble with his 35th career victory.
To view the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing in New Brunswick, click the following link: Saturday Results - Connell Park Raceway (Woodstock, N.B.).
(Standardbred Canada)