Making just his second local appearance, Aragonite delivered a rock-solid performance in the $1,600 Winners Over Pace on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Northside Downs.
Sent postward as the 9-5 second choice, Aragonite left stoutly from post two in the Saturday feature. Driver Redmond Doucet wanted the front end, but so did driver Mark Pezzarello with favoured Alritealritealrite. Those two pacers threw down early, with Aragonite winning that battle to pocket up his rival and front the field through serious fractions of :27.2, :56.1 and 1:26.3.
With Hugh Heff (Randy Getto) applying first-over pressure and a favourite looming the danger in the pocket turning for home, Aragonite dug deep in the stretch as Pezzarello found room up the pylons with Alritealritealrite to make a late bid. But Aragonite maintained his form and held on to win by a neck in 1:56.3. Hugh Heff completed the top trio.
Colin Rankin of Sydney, N.S. trains and co-owns Aragonite with Sherry Gillis of Sydney, Cathy Rankin of Dutch Brook and Debra Rankin of Sydney. The six-year-old son of Sportswriter-Fade Away picked up his 11th career victory in 61 starts, now sporting more than $74,000 in purses. He returned $5.80 to win.
For the full results from the card of harness racing in Cape Breton on Saturday, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)