Making his first start for new connections, Thunder Alley paid immediate dividends in his seasonal debut with a convincing score in the Winners Over top class at Northside Downs on Saturday, June 17.
A solid group of seven pacers lined up in the $1,600 feature with the bulk of the public support behind Q Ts Charlie and Shawn Lynk from post three with rail starter Kiss Me Im Irish and Mark Pezzarello the second choice at the betting windows. Those two left quickest of all, with Kiss Me Im Irish getting on top and setting the tempo to force Q Ts Charlie into the pocket. After a :28 opener, John Hawco right-lined Revenant from third to start a first-over approach, and Gerard Kennedy took advantage of that challenger by navigating Thunder Alley into the second over spot through a brisk :57.2 half.
Revenant couldn't clear Kiss Me Im Irish down the backside, so Kennedy angled three-wide around that stalled cover as Kiss Me Im Irish passed three-quarters in 1:27.4. Revenant kept Lynk from angling Q Ts Charlie from the pocket, so Thunder Alley landed in first-over striking range turning for home. As Revenant backed away, Q Ts Charlie found daylight and shot into the three path for the stretch drive. Thunder Alley had the jump on the favourite, however, and stayed strong through the stretch to win in 1:58.2. Q Ts Charlie finished a length back second with A Better Man (Adam Lynk) rallying for the show spot.
Purchased by Terri Morrison of Marion Bridge, Irwin Claener of New Waterford, Kirk Macrae of Ben Eoin and Angus Maceachern, Howie Centre, N.S. earlier this year, Thunder Alley now sports 21 wins and just under $80,000 in earnings. Heather Hawkins trains the seven-year-old gelded son of Mystery Chase - The Three Of Us, and he paid $11.10 to win.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.