Michael Carther enjoyed a perfect afternoon of racing on Sunday, Aug. 27 with his trainees going three-for-three at Leamington Raceway.
Carther kicked off the 10-race card with a sweep of the early Daily Double, which paid $106.80 with 3-5 favourite Century J Rock ($3.20) and 15-1 longshot Paparazzi Hanover ($32) winning their respective assignments.
Three-year-old pacing gelding Century J Rock was up first and he wore down race leader Iconic Seelster in the stretch then scooted away to win in 2:01 by 2-1/2 lengths as Cash Advance closed off his back to edge out the pacesetter for second. The son of Artspeak is now a back-to-back-winner at the Leamington half-mile oval for Carther and owners Joyce and Douglas Hastings of Highgate, Ont.
Veteran pacer Paparazzi Hanover overcame his outside post six in the next race as he blasted to the lead into the first turn and fought off the wide-rallying favourite Lime In Da Coconut and pocket-pursuer So Strange to win by one length in 1:59. The 11-year-old Well Said gelding picked up his third win since joining the Carther stable in May and now boasts 36 victories lifetime. He is owned by Kimberly Carther of Wallaceburg, Ont.
Carther completed his training triple with two-year-old pacing gelding Love Triangle ($5.20) defeating older foes as the 8-5 favourite took command mid-mile and cruised to a three-length victory in 2:03 over Undercover Hill and Lady Holly. The son of Odds On Equuleus picked up his second career win to go along with a pair of runner-up finishes from six starts for Carther. He is owned by Douglas Hastings along with Brian Daly of Kent Bridge, Ont.
Leamington's meet-leading driver Garrett Rooney had a grand slam during the first half of the card that included the Carther trainees Century J Rock and Love Triangle. Nick Steward worked out the winning drive for Paparazzi Hanover.
Carther's seasonal win total climbed to 11 with his Sunday training triple and the Dresden, Ont. horseman now has 204 lifetime victories.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(Photos of Love Triangle, who completed Michael Carther's training triple at Leamington Raceway on Aug. 27)