Inverness Raceway regular Aahm Cruisin scored his second win in as many starts this year at Northside Downs with an off the pace effort in the featured $1,200 Winners Over Pace on Saturday afternoon
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Aahm Cruisin settled into the three-hole after a Post 5 start behind insiders Fex Education (Ryan Campbell) and Sir Dutch (Bruce McGean), who led the field past fractions of :29.1, :59.4 and 1:29.1. As the field approached that third quarter mark, driver Alex MacQuarrie sent Aahm Cruisin first up and collared the leader at the top of the lane. The nine-year-old son of Armbro Cruiser sprinted away in the stretch to prevail by one and a quarter lengths over the quick-closing favourite, Game Zac (Alex MacNeil), while Sir Dutch settled for third.
Aahm Cruisin paid $12 to win as the 5-1 fourth choice in the field of six. Louis Beaton trains the brown gelding, who notched his second win in a row at the North Sydney oval, for owner Anthony Beaton. The victory was his sixth of the season in 21 outings and 42nd lifetime.
In other racing action, Heather Hawkins scored a training triple during the 14-race card. The Sydney, N.S. conditioner won the seventh race with Papas Little Rose ($6.60), the 12th with Mr Bob Lewis ($28.90), and the 13th with Electric Prince ($19.30). Joseph Campbell drove the first two winners while John Gerard Kennedy was in the bike for Hawkins' third triumph.
Also, Greg Sparling notched his 1500th lifetime driving victory Saturday while aboard nine-year-old mare Dusty Lane Lass.
A large crowd of drivers, family and friends greeted Sparling to congratulate him on the milestone. The track's general manager, Maureen Murphy, presented Sparling with a plaque on behalf of the raceway. Also, an engraved stopwatch was presented on behalf of Angus MacKenzie and his stable for whom Sparling has driven many horses through the years. A monetary gift from friends, family and fellow horsepeople was also presented.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.