After his eight-race win streak came to an end last weekend, sophomore pacing colt Captain Tate got started on a new one with a bounce-back victory in the afternoon's featured Winners Over Pace at Inverness Raceway on Sunday, Sept. 20.
Trained and driven by Walter Walker, Captain Tate took command from the inside post with rival Sea Laird (Zach Mullins) taking aim right away out of post four and challenging the front-striding 4-5 favourite through panels of :28.4, :58.3 and 1:28.1. Sea Laird wore down Captain Tate in their last Sunday showdown in the final quarter but could not sustain his bid into the final turn after the long overland journey this time out. With his main threat backing away, Captain Tate cruised home a clear winner in 1:57.1. Ranked Contender (Ardon Mofford) chased more than two lengths behind in second from the pocket while Sea Laird faded to third.
Winless in five rookie races, Captain Tate has become one of the top winners of the 2026 racing season in North America, victorious in 14 of his 19 sophomore starts. Only three other Standardbreds have recorded more wins this year.
The colt by Captain Crunch out of Ginger Tree Nina is owned by James MacInnis of Halifax, N.S.
Sunday's feature race was named in honour of the late Patricia "Tish" Doucet, Inverness leading driver Redmond Doucet Jr.'s mother and biggest fan, held on what would have been her 46th wedding anniversary with husband Redmond Sr. Family and friends of Doucet gathered in the winner's circle for the memorial race presentation.
D.F. Beaton led all trainers on Sunday's seven-race card with three winners from his stable and also took the lead in the seasonal standings at Inverness. Beaton teamed up with driver Rodney Gillis for victories with the maiden-breaking two-year-old colt Victor ($2.90), a back-to-back winner Igot Socks ($11.10) and the day's sub-feature winner Shir Gain ($4.40).
A career winner of 309 races, the veteran Port Hood, N.S. trainer now has 15 wins this year at the Inverness oval, leading by one ahead of Walter Walker with Zach Mullins two behind in third.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Inverness Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)