A break in stride before the start did not prevent Therealdeal ($3.20) from commencing her career in victorious fashion, as she drew off boldly up the far side en route to a 1:59 win in her $9,020 Atlantic Sires Stakes event for two-year-old pacing fillies at Red Shores at Summerside Raceway.
After an early miscue left the daughter of Westwardho Hanover and Deviliciously Good at the back of the main body of the field behind a :31 first quarter from Woodmere Rio (Earl Smith), she made up eight lengths in sweeping from fourth to first through a :29.1 second split. Therealdeal, after charging to the fore, opened up 3-1/2 lengths on Woodmere Rio through a :29 third quarter and held clear by 1-1/2 lengths under Walter Cheverie. Woodmere Rio maintained runner-up honours, 10 lengths in advance of Lady N Paradise (David Carey).
Joseph Baxter trains Therealdeal for Jennifer Baxter and Gregory Francis.
Following Therealdeal's impressive score in the first Atlantic Sires Stakes 'A' division (race two), Howmac Sabrina ($4.80) and Magical Mistress ($8.40) made their career debuts winning ones in their respective splits.
Howmac Sabrina and David Dowling used a steady first-over push up the backstretch in the second division (race eight) to take second on the far turn before ultimately inheriting the top position from pacesetter Unapologetically (Cheverie), who broke stride nearing the winning post. Earl Watts trains Howmac Sabrina, a daughter of Malicious and Howmacs Princess who equalled Therealdeal's 1:59 clocking, for Brittany Watts.
In the third division (race 10), Magical Mistress and Adam Merner used a pocket trip to stay fresh for a :28.1 kick home to upend Foxy Gigolo (Michael McGuigan) in 2:02.3. Steven Gass trains the daughter of Camystic and Meridian Magic for Barry Martin.
For Merner, the win was one of four on the 11-race card. He also teamed up with Whosurwinner (1:59) for trainer Deanna Clow, Tell Me Why (1:59.1) for Joe MacDonald, and Shadows Mystery (1:56.3) for trainer Gordie Ford.
The $2,500 'B' divisions for two-year-old pacing fillies were won by Tobins Hope (2:03.3, Jack Panting) and Something Reel (2:03.3, Darren Crowe).
Dana Sweet celebrated his first victory as a pari-mutuel driver, winning with Hurricane EJ in the first dash of the Wednesday program in 2:02.1.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Summerside Raceway.
(with files from Red Shores)