Two-year-old pacing colts and geldings found themselves in the spotlight at Exhibition Park Raceway on Tuesday afternoon, as the half-mile oval hosted four divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes
. There were three “A” divisions worth $7,440 apiece along with a single “B” division carrying a purse of $2,500.
Pondside Thunder took the opening “A” division in 2:01.1 for trainer/driver Bernard McCallum. The son of Force Of Life-Raisin Ruckus took over command shortly past the quarter pole and threw down middle splits of 1:00.2 and 1:30.4 en route to the win by three-quarters of a length. Astronomical Union overcame early interference to finish second, while Hoshinosenshi overcame two bouts of interference to grab the show dough.
Clifford Garland of Carbonear, NL owns the youngster, who improved his record to 2-3-1 in six tries with the win. He has banked $13,836 along the way.
Obamanator was treated to a pocket trip in the second split, and he took full advantage of the situation for driver Gilles Barrieau. The son of Carlspur-Le Win Skied battled with Selkirk Artemus to the quarter in :29.2 before releasing that foe to the front. From there, Obamanator watched that rival hammer out middle fractions of 1:01.1 and 1:32.3 before going back on the offensive and using a :30-second final frame to prevail in 2:03. Selkirk Artemus came up a head short, with third-place finisher Island Lexus beaten a length.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, Obamanator improved his rookie record to 3-0-1 in seven tries for owner/breeder/trainer Dr. Hugh Baird of Hampton, NB. The lion’s share of the purse lifted his lifetime earnings to $5,185.
Lyndale Royal survived a first-over trip to take home top honours in the final “A” division in a time of 2:00.2 for driver Brodie MacPhee. The son of Force Of Life-Royal Pursuit watched Dukes Up supply splits of :30 and 1:00.2 and before being roused to the outside and prompting that leader to the three-quarter pole in 1:30.3. Lyndale Royal used a :29.2 kicked to win by a pair of lengths over Dukes Up, with third prize being earned by Touch Of Lightning.
David MacDonald of Belfast, PEI owns the gelding, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Terrence Affleck. The freshman now boasts a 4-1-0 record in six assignments. He has stashed away more than $16,000 to date.
Mr Thompson took the lone “B” division in 2:03.4 using off-the-pace tactics for driver Mike Stevenson. The Wayne Bell pupil, who is owned by Boyd Macdonald Prodce Ltd of Crapaud and Daniel Ross of Belfast, PEI, defeated Makin Art and Woodmere Fools Art. It was a maiden-breaking score for the son of Articulator-Yankee Checkers.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Exhibition Park Raceway.