Harness racing fans watching the finale at The Loop on Saturday, Sept. 6 may have recalled a now famous line from the late, great racecaller Larry Lederman.
"If this was a fight, they'd stop it."
Pipers Luna ($2.10) and driver Dean Rey showed no mercy on Saturday, winning the $7,653 first leg of the MSSBA Silk Lace Stakes by more than 19 lengths in a time of 2:00.3. Stefs Inheritance (Paula Mason) was best of the rest, followed by Smokinintheboysroom (Marc Fillion).
Trained by breeder and co-owner Lorraine Rey, Pipers Luna (Im The Pied Piper - Hammers Rainbow) sports a 5-1-0 record in six career appearances. Vince Sotheran co-owns.
Van Goghing Fast ($3.20) toyed with a short field in the $7,743 first leg of the MSSBA Golden boy, a wire-to-wire winner in 2:01 by five lengths. Austins Bud (Michel Rey) edged out Wednttalkboutbruno (Dean Rey) for the place spot.
Owned by breeder, trainer and driver Marc Fillion of St. Malo, Man., Van Goghing Fast (Trust The Artist - Soft And Dry) is now a four-time winner this year and his career with earnings exceeding $26,000.
Saturday's card at The Loop also featured three top class events, with two $6,600 Opens and a $5,550 Invitation Pace.
After cutting the mile, Ginger Tree Finny ($4.80) and Michel Rey were briefly bested Lookinlikeamillion (Richard Remillard) at the head of the stretch in the $6,600 Open for male pacers, but battled back to repel that rival late in a 1:59 decision. Lookinlikeamillion finished just over a length back in second with Appoggiatura (Clayton Braybrook) all by himself in the show spot.
Ginger Tree Finny is a seven-year-old Captaintreacherous - Ideal Weather gelding trained by Melanie Rey Clark for owner Laverne Turnbull of Kitchener, Ont. He's a 20-time winner in his 106-start career, with earnings just south of the $150,000 mark.
Remillard did find the winner's circle in the other Open — the $6,600 event for fillies and mares — when first-over attacker Nonversation ($10.70) edged out pacesetting favourite Outlaw Spiced Rum (Kirk Rogers) at the wire by a neck with a 2:00.3 effort. Treasure Horizon (Paula Mason) rounded out the triactor.
Trained by co-owner Tara Isman, Nonversation (Mystician - Say Anything) sports seven wins this year and 17 lifetime. Remillard also co-owns the winner with Jim Wilson of Regina, Sask, with this victory lifting Nonversation into six figures in earnings with $103,242 accrued.
The $5,550 Invitation was a cakewalk for favoured Two Shoes ($5.50) and Marc Fillion, who were flushed from third at the 1:00.1 half, breezed to the top before a 1:30.4 third station, and then pulled away to win by nearly five length in a time of 2:01.3. The battle was for second, with Controlthedistance (Michel Rey) best in a four-across finish, with Irish Jean (Braybrook) third.
An eight-year-old gelded son of Whatayasay - Flight Delay, Two Shoes is now an 11-time winner in his 63-start career for owner and trainer Denis Chappellaz of St. Claude, Man.
For the full results from Saturday's chilly card of harness racing in Manitoba, click the following link: Saturday Results - The Loop.
(Standardbred Canada)