Dont Ask Logan pulled off a 22-1 upset in the $8,000 final of the November Pacing Series to cap off a five-win day for leading trainer George Rennison at Truro Raceway on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 27).
Driven by Darren Crowe, Dont Ask Logan defied his odds and overcame an outside post to win the series final by three lengths in 1:58.1 over the 'good' track with stablemate Privilege (Todd Trites) just missing second-place in a photo finish with Frontier Cruise (Robert Laffin).
Privilege was first to the front from the inside post with the popular mare, elimination winner Share The Moment (Redmond Doucet), working her way up on the outside from post three to take over as the they headed into the backstretch during a :27.2 opening quarter.
Share The Moment took a breather to the half in :57.2 while Frontier Cruise advanced first-up from third with elimination winner Thunder Alley (Don Gillis) picking up the cover and Dont Ask Logan spotted third-over near the back.
Share The Moment continued to lead to three-quarters with pressure mounting from Frontier Cruise, who stuck a neck in front on the final turn while Dont Ask Logan swung three-high. As the 1-9 favourite gave way turning for home, Frontier Cruise and Dont Ask Logan battled into the stretch before the latter drew off for his 25th career victory.
A front-end elimination winner last Sunday, Dont Ask Logan overcame the poor post draw and returned $47.70 for a $2 win ticket.
The victory was the seven-year-old McArdle gelding's third in a row and his eighth of the season from 25 starts for Nova Scotia-based owners Andrea Rennison of Truro, Ian MacDonald of Lower Sackville and Basil Sherry of Beaver Bank.
Rennison's successful Sunday began with the undefeated two-year-old pacer All Bets On Tex ($3.10), driven by Paul Langille, and Mitch finishing one-two in the second race. Todd Trites steered pacing mare Top Of Her Trade ($5) to victory in the fourth race then sophomore filly The Generals Pride ($2.60) and 14-year-old pacer Electric Syl ($14.50) for back-to-back wins in the sixth and seventh races for Rennison prior to Dont Ask Logan's upset victory in the featured eighth race.
Rennison, who is enjoying a career year with his first $100,000 season and 54 winners, extended his 2022 Truro meet-leading total to 36 victories. He has 14 more wins than current runner-up Langille with three more Sunday race dates to go.
Langille sent out a pair of winners from his own stable on the nine-race card including Well Did, who led every step of the 1:57.2 mile in the $4,000 November Pacing Series consolation. Picking up the live catch-drive, Trites urged the 4-5 favourite home after uncontested fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:27 to hold off the pocket-popping Vino Louie (Ken Parker Jr.) by a quarter of a length while Big Engine (Evan Wilson) finished back in third. Well Did, an 11-year-old son of Well Said with 49 career triumphs, paid $3.80 to win. He is owned by the Well Did Horse Owners Club of Lower Onslow, N.S.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Truro Raceway.