Sierras Image and Themsfightinwords both posted mild upsets in their respected Not Listed Preferred on the Trot and Pace on Wednesday night at Sudbury Downs.
Sierras Image converted off a pocket trip to win the $10,000 Not Listed Preferred Trot. Patrick Rouleau placed the nine-year-old gelded son of Balanced Image on the helmet of leader Windsun Firstafair (Dave Dowling). That trotter was pressured by Mathers Lavec (Paul MacLean) through fractions of :30.1, :59.3 and 1:31.1.
Rouleau popped the pocket around the final turn with Sierras Image and he took advantage of the tiring leaders, grabbing the lead at the top of the lane and trotting away to a two-length score in 2:01. Windsun Firstafair stayed for second while Phoenix Hornline (Riina Rekila) rounded out the top three.
Trained by Michael Sinclair, Sierras Image ($10.80) won for the fourth time this year in his 21st start. He had picked up two seconds and a third in his last three starts in the same class. Owned by Git E Up Stables and Steve Organ, Sierras Image boosted the 2007 bankroll to $37,400.
In the $11,000 Not Listed Preferred Pace, Themsfightinwords had the most fight out of anyone when he was a winner for owner/driver Jay Polifroni. The six-year-old Rustler Hanover gelding followed along on the rail as Time Travelin Man (Mike Dowling) free-wheeled on the front in :28, :57.2, and 1:27.2.
With a spirited brush, Themsfightinwords went from sitting fifth at the three-quarters to a four-length lead by the top of the stretch. With the damage already done, Polfroni cruised to the wire with his pacer for a two-length win in 1:56.4. Back It Up (Dave Dowling) took home the place spot and Rs Bunny (Robert Coursol) the show.
Themsfightinwords ($21.30) hangs his harness bag in the stable of Walter Itwaru Jr. It was the second triumph in five starts this year for the pacer, who increased his earnings to $10,832.