Atlantic Sires Stakes action rolled into Inverness Raceway on Sunday afternoon (August 4), as the top two-year-old pacing fillies from Canada’s east coast put on a show for all in attendance.
The program was comprised of three ATSS splits: a pair of $9,780 ‘A’ divisions (Race 5 and 8) and a lone ‘B’ division, which offered a purse of $2,500.
After having laid off the early speed, the Clare MacDonald-trained, driven and co-owned Bellafornow ($14.40) came on to capture the first of the ‘A’ divisions in 2:01.2. The daughter of Ameripan Gigolo started from Post 7 and watched as the fractions were cut in :30.3, 1:01.1 and 1:31.1. MacDonald and her charge had moved up to third by the time they hit the head of the lane and were able to get up late for the timely win. The margin of victory was three quarters of a length. Woodmere Nasha (who was driven by Kenny Arsenault) had raced second through the fractions and finished second. The Ryan Campbell-driven Na Naa Said So finished third. Bellafornow’s win was of the maiden-breaking variety. She has now banked $6,662 in purses for MacDonald, of Antigonish, NS, and co-owner Dan Kaiser, of Baddeck, NS.
The second of the ‘A’ divisions also produced an off-the-pace win, as the Joseph Baxter-trained and Dale Spence-driven Saulsbrook Ocean ($3.40) came from mid pack to record a half-length victory in a life’s-best 1:58.3. The bay daughter of Westwardho Hanover had started from Post 4 and sat fourth through the fractions (:29.1, :58.3, 1:28.1). She was still more than three lengths off the tempo at the head of the lane, but finished with a flurry before getting up to record the win. Woodmere Skyroller (Redmond Doucet) cut the fractions and finished second, while Elm Grove Ocean (Angus Bates) finished third off of a forwardly-placed trip. Saulsbrook Ocean is owned by Saulsbrook Stables Inc. (Windsor, NS), Jennifer Baxter (Falmouth, NS) and Michael McKenzie (Newport, NS). Saulsbrook Ocean has now won three of her four career races.
The ‘B’ division had taken place prior to the ‘A’ splits, and it turned out to be a romp, as the Myles Heffernan-trained and driven Wenitrainsitpours ($9.40) went to the lead in the second quarter and eventually drew off to record a seven and a half-length victory in a maiden-breaking 2:04. Tobins Glory (Kevin Bailey) and J J Tammy (Kenny Arsenault) finished second and third, respectively. Wenitrainsitpours, by Camystic, is owned by Jackie Heffernan (Glace Bay, NS).
Sunday’s Inverness card also featured the $1,150 Winners-Over Pace (Race 10), which was captured by Intended Royalty ($5.60) and Redmond Doucet in a gate-to-wire 1:57.2. Trainer Randy Copley (Inverness, NS) co-owns Intended Royalty along with Edward Copley (Inverness, NS).
To view the harness racing results for Sunday at Inverness, click the following link: Sunday Results – Inverness Raceway.