Trainer-driver Don Howlett refused to relinquish the lead with Saskabush Steve, keeping a head in front at the finish to take the $18,477 Futurity Final on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Miami.
Howlett hustled the three-year-old Lambretta gelding to the lead from the pylon post while Dont Rock The Boat slid into the pocket before a :29 first quarter. The odds-on favourite then widened to a three-length lead past a 1:01 half and nearing three-quarters in 1:31.1. Popcorn Jimmy gave pursuit from first over into the final turn and narrowed on the leader’s margin through the stretch but finished a head shy in a 2:02 mile. Royal Playboy took third.
Owned by Wanda Howlett and Dwayne Taylor, Saskabush Steve won his sixth race from eight starts this season and his eighth from 14 overall, earning $20,998. He paid $2.40 to win.
Howlett also claimed victory in Prairie Mystic in the $3,180 Open Pace. He hurried the six-year-old Mystery Chase gelding to the top after getting carried three wide through a :29.3 first quarter. He then turned away a first-over challenge from Safety Second towards a :59 half and extended his lead through three-quarters in 1:29.4 in progress to a two-length victory in 2:00.1. Sin Machqueen overtook Tahuya Rico for second.
Winning his fourth race from 18 starts this season and his 14th from 98 overall, Prairie Mystic has earned $124,245. Ralph Morrow, Wanda Howlett and Dwayne Taylor own the $3.10 winner.
Alot Of Sense popped pocket to nail Noisy Nora in the $2,680 Fillies and Mares Open Pace. The eight-year-old Classic Card Shark mare stalked the even-money favourite through fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:31.2 before pulling pocket and edging a neck better than the pacesetter to win in a 2:01.2 mile. Noisy Nora settled for second while Witch Doctor gave chase in third.
An eight-year-old mare by Classic Card Shark, Alot Of Sense won her third race from 26 starts this season and her 21st from 181 overall, earning $130,066. Michel Rey drove the $5.60 winner for trainer Trevor Williams, who collected three wins on the day. Williams also sent Lizard King ($5.20) and Red Star Tiger ($3.20) to victories.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Miami.