There was plenty of star power on display Sunday afternoon at Truro Raceway, as the half-mile oval hosted two- and three-year-old pacers in the Nova Scotia Stakes.
Pictonian Sareta captured the richest event of the day – the $10,700 Nova Scotia Stake for three-year-old fillies – and she did so in a dominant manner. The daughter of Western Paradise-Southview Selena rolled the field through panels of :28.2, :59 and 1:29.4 before using a :29.1 closing quarter to win by six lengths over Mappos Moenhay in 1:59. Ilava tagged along to finish third.
Trained and driven by Mike Stevenson, the seven-time winner improved this year’s record to 4-4-5 from 15 starts with the victory. Daniel Ross of Belfast, PE owns the career winner of $53,916.
Earlier on the card, Eastcoast Cruiser overcame late interference to win the $9,050 Nova Scotia Stake for two-year-old colts and geldings by a nose in 2:02.4 for driver Clare MacDonald. The son of Force Of Life-Manhattan Delight battled for most of the mile with tempo-setter Pictonian Basil before getting the upper hand over that foe in the closing strides. Pictonian Basil, who chopped out fractions of :30.1, 1:02.4 and 1:33.3, settled for second prize while Pride Of Paradise finished third.
Sent off as the 4-5 favourite, Eastcoast Cruiser won for the second time in four tries for owner/trainer/breeder Todd Sutherland of Port Hood, NS. The lion’s share of Sunday’s purse bumped the pacer’s earnings to $5,450.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Truro Raceway.