Goldstar Badlands Pulls Off 39-1 Upset

Published: August 9, 2015 10:12 pm EDT

Overlooked as the longest shot on the toteboard, Goldstar Badlands produced an $81.00 win payout as he upset a field of Preferred 2 pacers at Georgian Downs in the Sunday night finale.

Driven by Scott Young, the five-year-old son of Badlands Hanover charged three-wide from the backfield approaching the third quarter mark and prevailed in 1:52.4 by two and a half lengths over the quick-closing Czar Seelster (Paul MacKenzie) and pacesetter Champagne Phil (Bob McClure).

Adkins Hanover (Travis Henry) prompted a judges inquiry after the race as he had raced more than three-quarters of the mile inside the pylons.

Champagne Phil had blazed to the lead from post nine through a :26.1 opener and led the field through middle splits of :55.3 and 1:24.2 with early breaker Adkins Hanover regrouping and racing the rest of the way in the safety lane. Adkins Hanover crossed the wire in second-place while inside the pylons and was placed ninth for failure to continuously lose ground while off-stride.

Goldstar Badlands notched his third consecutive victory having won two prior starts at the Preferred 3 level at Hanover Raceway on August 1 and Georgian Downs on July 28. The win was his sixth in 26 starts this year while racing from the Heather Toll stable and lifted his seasonal bankroll to $42,325 for owner Morley Bradshaw of Wilsonville, Ont.

Henry and Order By Commander ($11.40) won the $7,500 Preferred 3 Trot earlier as they went from last at the quarter to first across the finish line in 1:57.2, scoring by two and three-quarter lengths over race leader Jayport Sunrise for trainer Craig Yates and owners Frank Lamacchia, Guy Polillo and Wayne Deserres.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Georgian Downs.

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