A pair of $12,500 Champions Trot divisions were contested at Sudbury Downs this evening and New Dice Please took his second consecutive victory in the series.
As the gate swung open in the second division, the six-year-old Donerail gelding was sent straight to the lead by driver Paul MacLean. The Chris Beaver trainee carved out fractions of :29.2, 1:00 and 1:30.1 before facing a challenge from the pocket-sitter Indys Kylee (Stuart Sowerby), but the fan favourite, New Dice Please, stayed strong and held on by a half length for the win in 2:00.2. Armbro Edward (Justin Turcotte) finished third.
Bill Manes, Robert Little of Rockwood, Paul Sabourin of Mississauga and William Cripps of Acton, Ont. own the winner of 23 races and over $234,000 in purses.
In the first division, driver Wayne MacLean and Speedy Desperado got away fifth as Alpha Entura (Stuart Sowerby) blasted to the lead from the rail and posted panels of :28.3, :59.1 and 1:30.2. MacLean's charge waited patiently until the stretch before powering home for the three-length win in 2:00.1.
Terra Cotta Candy (Allan Hohner) was second and Charlie O Charlie (Gerry Belanger) came on for third.
The eight-year-old son of Westgate Crown lifted his bankroll to over $66,000 with his eighth lifetime win. Don Wilcox handles the training duties for Margaret Wilcox of Midland, Ont.
In other action, Thomson Seelster rallied from off the pace to pick up a win in the $10,000 Not Listed Preferred Pace.
Thomson Seelster and driver Gerry Belanger laid low as Mach It Paid (Paul MacLean) set the pace with panels of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:27.2, but as the field turned for home the son of Rustler Hanover cruised to the wire in 1:57.4.
The favourite, Seawind Gambler (Allan Hohner) finished a length back in second and Control Freak (Wayne MacLean) was third.
The eight-year-old gelding notched his fifth seasonal win and 54th lifetime victory tonight, lifting his earnings to $505,124 for trainer and owner Belanger.
To view Saturday's results, click here.