Fans at Woodstock Raceway in New Brunswick were treated to a terrific matinee program on Monday as another round of the Erwin Andrew Memorial Pacing Series was contested in addition to four divisions of Atlantic Sires Stakes
action for trotters.
The lone $4,143 division of the Erwin Andrew Memorial Pacing Series went to Abby Best, who blazed her way to a 1:56 victory for driver Todd Trites and owner/trainer Angus MacLean of Port Hood, NS. Trites hustled the eight-year-old daughter of Cambest through splits of :28.3, :57.3 and 1:27.2 before storming home in :28.3 to seal the deal over Timeless Hanover and Milliondollarjen.
It was the ninth win of the campaign for the career winner of $58,162, and it was the 34th win of her career. The 1:56 clocking smashed the track record for older pacing mares. The previous record of 1:59 was shared by G Es Chelsea (1996) and Tuscon Melody (1999).
The Erwin Andrew Memorial Pacing Series, which is sponsored by Meridian Farms, Standardbred Canada and the host tracks, will continue at the following venues on the listed dates:
Friday, August 28, 2009 at Summerside - 5th Leg
Thursday, September 3, 2009 at Exhibition Park - 6th Leg
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at Fredericton - 7th Leg
Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Charlottetown – Final - $15,000 (estimated)
In other Monday action at the half-mile oval, Scarlet Patti took the first of two divisions of the Atlantic Sires Stakes for two-year-old trotters. The daughter of PJs Nabby-Scarlet Nite stopped the clock in 2:08.4 to win her $11,960 assignment. Second prize went to West River Ugo, and Keiths Daisy was third.
Trainer/driver Darryl MacLean led from start to finish with the filly, who is owned by Gordon MacLean of Winsloe, PE. She now owns a 2-2-0 record in four lifetime starts, and her bankroll stands at $11,226 to date.
Diamond Mine romped to an 11-length score in the other division for the rookies. The gelded son of PJs Nabby-RRR Diamond did most of the road work en route to posting the 2:11 decision over Porter and Glencove Umay.
Mike Stevenson handled the lines for owner/trainer Russell Newman of North Sydney, NS. The youngster has put together a 2-0-1 record in his first four starts, and the lion’s share of the purse pushed his bankroll to $9,264.
Two divisions also went postward for three-year-old trotters, and in the opening split fans watched Dunmore Laird equal the track record for three-year-old trotting geldings when he toured the oval in 2:05.3 for trainer/driver Earl Smith. The son of Black River-Dunmore Angel rallied from just off-the-pace to score the head decision over A C King. Third prize went to Dunmore Chip.
Cory Sudsbury of Charlottetown and Thane Mann of Kensington, PE share ownership on the square gaiter, who registered his first win of the season and the third of his career. The victory boosted his earnings to $24,845.
The other division for the sophomores went to Maple Leaf Quix and driver Mike Stevenson in a time of 2:03.3. The daughter of Black River-Maple Leaf Legacy sat a pocket trip for most of the mile before popping to the outside in the lane and driving off to win by a pair of lengths. West River Tigger was second best and Maple Leaf Quest rounded out the top three in the $12,020 affair.
Steven Sorrie of Sturgeon, PE shares ownership on the filly with her trainer and breeder, Ralph Annear of Montague, PE. After going winless in her lone start as a rookie, the youngster has put together a 2-1-1 record in her first four starts of the season. Her earnings jumped to $9,924 with the win.
To view Monday’s harness racing results, click here.