Woodmere Rollnpop ($5.90) and Woodmere Oleksiak ($2.40) remain the dominant forces in Atlantic Canada in their respective divisions after taking the Milton Downey Memorial and the Maritimer, respectively, on Monday afternoon (Sept. 2) at Exhibition Park Raceway.
In the $13,755 Downey, for two-year-old pacers, Woodmere Rollnpop proved an uncontested pillar-to-post winner for trainer-driver Mary Clare MacDonald. The gelded son of Rollwithitharry and Shadow Dancer coasted through splits of :30.3, 1:02 and 1:31.2 before edging away from 4-5 pocket rival Tobins Rebel (Gilles Barrieau) to win by two lengths in 2:01.1.
The win was Woodmere Rollnpop's fifth in seven career tries — all stakes events — for Morah Kerr and Phonsie MacEachern.
The $18,765 Maritimer for three-year-old pacing fillies saw Woodmere Oleksiak and David Dowling rebound from an early break to make good on 1-5 odds with a 7-1/2 length victory. The Articulator filly broke from post four, but reset to protect fourth through a :28.3 quarter before advancing to engage Pickpocketprincess (Todd Trites) nearing the half in :58.4. Shortly upon entering the second circuit, Woodmere Oleksiak put Pickpocketprincess away and drew off boldly for her fifth consecutive win, stopping the timer in 1:59.3. Emilys Angel (Kenny Arsenault) circled stalled cover to take second over Pickpocketprincess.
Earl Watts trains Woodmere Oleksiak for Hollis Newson, Debbie Denney, Ric McNutt and Windemere Farms.
The sub-featured event, the $2,500 Jim Doherty Memorial, saw Brandons Glory ($2.10) wire four rivals in 2:00.4. Gilles Barrieau drove the six-year-old Brandons Cowboy gelding for owner Cindy Gunn and trainer Tommy Gunn.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Exhibition Park Raceway.