Driver Greg Sparling made the half-mile oval at Northside Downs his own personal showcase on Saturday (August 8), connecting for five wins -- including the feature event of the day.
In the eighth race Winners Over feature, Runaway Mystery looked to be the best of the bunch but the favourite made a bobble before the start and changed the complexion of the race early. Indywheelbarrow (Keith Dicks) found the front and placed Accelerator (Greg Sparling) into the pocket. After panels of :28.1 and :58.2, Runaway Mystery (Harold Leblanc Jr.) had reset and traveled the overland route to challenge the leader.
Runaway Mystery continued to stalk Indywheelbarrow through a 1:28.1 third station and got closer to even footing around the final turn, allowing Accelerator to slide out from the pocket and into the three path turning for home. The print to the wire went to Accelerator, getting up in the final strides to win in 1:58.2.
Owned and trained by Robert Blanchard of Howie Center, N.S., Accelerator (Driven To Win - KG Affair) picked up his third win of the year and 22nd lifetime.
Sparling also found the winner's circle on Saturday with Elm Grove Penelope (2:02.3; $15.80), Johnnie Jack (1:58.3; $6.40), Rocky Western (2:00; $4.00) and Culpepper (2:00.3; $6.30). The five-win performance gives the veteran horseman 1,654 career wins with earnings approaching $950,000 lifetime.
To view the results from Northside's Saturday card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.