Sophomore pacers were out in full force at Truro Raceway earlier this afternoon, as the Nova Scotia half-miler featured four divisions – two for fillies and two for colts and geldings - of the Carl and late Marg MacKenzie Stakes.
Emily J Down rallied to an impressive win in her $7,500 assignment, and she did so in a career-best clocking of 1:58.4 for trainer Stephen Downey and driver Todd Trites.
The homebred daughter of Drop Off, who was sitting seventh and last at the mid-way point of the mile, uncorked a sharp stretch rally en route to winning for the sixth time this season. She defeated Island Idol and Woodmere Camilla.
The career winner of $62,145 is owned by the Downey Stables of Saint John, NB.
For The Luv Abunny went wire-to-wire in a time of 1:59.2 in the other division for the fillies, and in doing so has won five of her last six outings for owner Jody Campbell of Sydney Mines, NS.
The Western Paradise miss chopped out panels of :28.4, :59.4 and 1:29.3 before cruising home in :29.4 for driver Bernard McCallum and trainer Dale Pinkney. Rhondas Belle was second best and the show dough went to Southview Spring.
It was the sixth win of the season in 17 starts for the pacer, who has potted $40,588 to date.
Hushs Last Money showed no mercy on the competition in the first split for the colt and gelding pacers. The son of Matter Of Money rolled to a 10-length score in a career-best clocking of 1:56.4 for trainer/driver Henry Smallwood.
The gelding took over command shortly past the mid-way point of the mile before driving away to win by the double digit margin. Accelerated Force was second and Provoke Me finished third.
Debbie Francis along with Fred & Joan Lowthers share ownership on the six-time winner, who now boasts $15,662 in lifetime earnings.
Riccaras Sun extended his win streak to three-in-a-row for trainer Trevor Hicken when he held on for a narrow 1:58 score in the second division.
The son of Allamerican Native survived a first-over trip to post the quarter-length decision for driver Brian MacPhee. Arrow Dynamic was a determined runner-up and Kaptain N Keiths rounded out the top three.
Kenneth MacInnis of Charlottetown, PEI holds the papers on the 11-time winner, who has stashed away $28,578 to date.
To view Sunday's results, click here.