Fresh off a track record performance in the first leg of the Champions Trot Series last week, Long Ago returned to Sudbury Downs on Wednesday night for another victory in round two
. The series, for non-winners of $75,000 as of Wednesday, August 24, featured three $15,000 second leg divisions.
The six-year-old son of Duke Of York-Hope Floats went wire-to-wire to win in 1:59.3 by a quarter length over Imminent Response, this time with Gerry Belanger aboard. Following in third, Julians Jewel finished nine and three-quarter lengths in arrears. Long Ago is owned by trainer John Holding of Campbellville, Ont. and Bryan Montgomery of Fergus, Ont. He paid $3.80 to win as the public's choice.
Victors Valiant and driver Mike MacNeill also doubled up in the series for trainer Philippe Belanger (three wins on the 10-race card) and owner Robert Deschaine of Windsor, Ont. The four-year-old son of Valley Victor-Crunchess sat third for most of the mile before coming on to score the 2:00.1 triumph while the front-runners, including the other first leg winner Kashas Kid, faded to the back of the pack. Indys Kylee finished one and three-quarter lengths behind and Watkins rounded out the top three. Overlooked by the bettor’s, Victors Valiant paid $21.10 to win as the 9-1 fourth choice.
Ill Tell You What won the other division in a 2:01.4 romp for driver Pat Rouleau and trainer-owner Debra Clayton of Millington, Michigan. The six-year-old Lockkeeper-Sweet Grammie gelding, a runner-up in the first leg to Kashas Kid, won by four and a half lengths over Dash Car and Tagmaster. He paid $13.30 to win as the 5-1 fourth choice.
For results from Wednesday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results – Sudbury Downs.