The trip was different but the finish position was the same for Thunder Alley, a repeat winner in the top class at Northside Downs on Saturday (June 24).
Punters dismissed last week's effort in this class and heavily backed the second tier starter Dontblvmejustwatch to the tune of 1-20 odds. That didn't dissuade Gerard Kennedy from sending Thunder Alley to the top from post two and playing catch me if you can with his six rivals. They tried, but they chased in vain as Thunder Alley rolled through fractions of :28, :58.2 and 1:27.3 before closing the mile in :29.1 to hit the wire a length to the good over pocket-sitting Q Ts Charlie (Shawn Lynk) in a time of 1:56.4 — the fastest of the season at the Cape Breton oval.
A seven-year-old gelded son of Mystery Chase - The Three Of Us, Thunder Alley now sports 22 wins and more than $80,000 in earnings for owners Terri Morrison of Marion Bridge, Irwin Claener of New Waterford, Kirk Macrae of Ben Eoin and Angus Maceachern, Howie Centre, N.S. Heather Hawkins trains Thunder Alley, who paid $5.60 to win.
Three horses and participants were involved in a final turn spill in the Saturday finale. Ty Im A Cougar made a miscue for Greg Sparling at the head of the lane and hooked wheels with Howmac Impeccable, sending both horse and driver Kevin Bailey head over heels onto the racetrack. Shawn Lynk couldn't avoid the spill with Elm Grove Qwinn, and was unseated but popped up promptly in the infield. Elm Grove Qwinn was eventually collared, and all participants involved appeared to walk off the racetrack under their own power.
To view the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Cape Breton, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.