If it weren't for a nervous two-year-old colt and a judge's placing, the Baillargeon brothers would have swept a pair of Future Stars Pace finals on Wednesday night at Hanover Raceway. Instead, they had to settle for one trophy while the Clements inherited the other
. The Future Stars is for Ontario-sired two-year-old pacers that are non-winners of $5,000.
Elimination winners P C Shockwave and Bieber Fever inherited the top two spots in the $21,500 colts and geldings final after a judges' placing.
The popular Ben Baillargeon-trained Instant Thrill and driver Mario Baillargeon crossed the wire first, but was placed back to fourth for causing interference to the first over Beiber Fever (Todd Ratchford) when the colt spooked at the three-quarters mark from the pocket. P C Shockwave rallied home off cover to inherit the win. The winning time was 2:00.1 over the sloppy track. Bieber Fever inherited second while longshot Life Of Maverick (Doug McNair) was bumped up to third.
P C Shockwave paid $6 to win as the 2-1 second choice in the field. He is now three-for-four in his career with nearly $16,000 banked. Driver Curtis Clements shares ownership of the homebred Peruvian Hanover-Feelinluckytonight colt with trainer Paul Clements.
The Baillargeons had better luck in the $21,400 filly final as Windmachine scored a 1:59.2 front end score by three legnths for the teamsters. Favourite Frown Upside Down (Doug McNair), an elimination winner, followed from the pocket for second. Nics Regal Lass (Stuart Sowerby) finished third.
Windmachine paid $12.70 for the mild 5-1 upset. The daughter of Mach Three-Windwatch scored her first lifetime win in five outings and lifted her bankroll to over $14,000 for owner Richard Berthiaume of Pointe-Aux-Trembles, Que.
For results from Wednesday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Hanover Raceway.