Facing a field of open horses, veteran pacing mare Abby Best beat the boys in the $1,100 Bobby Leyte Memorial Pace to cap off Saturday afternoon’s harness racing program at Northside Downs
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The 10-year-old Cambest mare got away fourth from a Post 7 start with John Beaton in the bike and advanced first up past the half before taking command from Sir Dutch (Bruce McGean), who had posted the opening quarter in :28.4 and half in :59.2. Abby Best cruised past three-quarters in 1:29.3 while favourite Havana Dream dropped into the gapping two-hole after following her cover from fifth. Abby Best motored home to win in 1:59.2 by one and three-quarter lengths. Woodmere Westerner (Greg Sparling) came on for second despite suffering broken equipment. Havana Dream was third.
Abby Best paid $10.70 for the mild 4-1 upset. The victory was her seventh in 19 seasonal starts for owner and trainer Angus MacLean of Port Hood, N.S.
Earlier on the card, 10-year-old Make A Deal gelding Windy Bay J J won a 3/4-mile dash in 1:30, establishing a new track and Canadian record on a half-mile track for the distance. Robert MacCormick drove the winner, who stormed home to pull off a 9-1 upset over favourite Jacob (Beaton), for trainer James Collins and owners John Kehoe of Reserve Mines, N.S. and Windy Bay Farm of Glace Bay, N.S.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.