Through a first-over grind, Major Hill landed in the winner’s circle of the $15,000 Preferred 2 Pace on the final card of the racing season at Georgian Downs Sunday (Aug. 30).
Driver Jonathan Drury floated Major Hill from post 7 into fourth as P L Jackson cleared command to a :27 first quarter. Premier Joy A soon circled to the lead before a :56.2 half while Drury tipped Major Hill first over with YS Lotus in tow. Up the backside Major Hill gained ground on Premier Joy A moving to three-quarters in 1:24 but lost ground circling the final turn. Once straightening for the finish, Major Hill surged past Premier Joy A to the front and strode to a 1:52.3 win by one-and-a-half lengths over YS Lotus. Bettor Cat closed for third.
A seven-year-old gelding by Art Major, Major Hill won his fifth race from 24 starts this season and his 22nd from 179 overall, earning $450,496. Carmen Auciello trains the $3.50 winner for owner Percy Elkins.
In the race following, Pedro Hanover pushed to a 1:52.2 win in the co-featured $9,500 Preferred 3 Pace. The five-year-old Somebeachsomewhere stallion sat off a quick clip set by 6-5 favourite Grand Poobah. Positioned fifth to a :27 first quarter, Pedro Hanover tipped first over heading to a :55.4 half and advanced towards the pacesetter as the tempo slowed to three-quarters in 1:24.1. Around the final turn Pedro Hanover inched a head in front of Grand Poobah and expanded that margin through the lane, winning by two lengths with Tigers Way—from second over—finishing third.
Owned by Brad Gray, Pedro Hanover won his first race from five starts this season and his 10th from 41 overall, earning $445,210. Corey Giles trains the $7.60 winner while Jason Ryan sat in the bike.
Captain Cash took the other division of the $9,500 Preferred 3 Pace with a 1:53.2 win off a pocket trip.
American Wiggle led the field through fractions of :27.1, :56.2 and 1:24.3 with mild first-over pressure coming from Paparazzi Hanover through the midpoint of the race. Race-favourite Awesomeness raced second over and launched off cover into the final turn while Captain Cash waited for racing room. When the passing lane opened, Captain Cash dashed through, outkicking Awesomeness to win by a length while American Wiggle finished third.
Owned by Mardon Stables, Captain Cash won his third race from 14 starts this season and his eighth from 37 overall, earning $70,900. Bruce MacDonald trains the four-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding while Aaron Byron drove the $7.10 winner.
With Sunday marking the end of the 2020 season at Georgian Downs, Brett MacDonald and Richard Moreau claimed the driving and training titles respectively. MacDonald added a win to his lead on Sunday, finishing the meet with 36 wins over Colin Kelly’s 29 wins. Moreau did not win on Sunday but kept his one-win lead over Ronald MacDonald to snag the training sash with 16 wins to 15.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.