There were three $8,000 divisions featured in the first leg of the Saugeen Claiming Series for colts and geldings on Wednesday night at Hanover Raceway, but four horses turned in winning efforts
.
Co-favourites Lucky Acquisition and D J Adonis were also co-winners in the first division as both sophomore geldings crossed the wire together in 1:58.3. Camluck son Lucky Acquisition and driver Bruce Richardson set all the pace en route to his second consecutive win and third in 10 starts this year for trainer Paul Taylor and Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein, ON while D J Adonis and Doug McNair converted from the pocket to score for the second time in 13 starts this year for trainer Rene Allard. The Astreos gelding is owned by breeder David McCallum of West Lorne, Ken Fitzgerald of Carlisle and Craig Brewer of Dresden, ON. Lexilowguy (Anthony Haughan) finished three-quarters of a length behind in third.
In the next split, 4-1 fourth choice Found Treasure front-stepped his way to a one-length 1:57.1 victory beating out Surfin Bali (Anthony Haughan) and Exotic Man Rj (Bob McClure). George Way trains and co-owns the Mach Three six-year-old with Ronald Eaton of Brockville, ON. The victory was his second in a row and third in 10 tries this season.
Favourite Grinfromharetother survived a long first over journey to win the final division in 1:56.4 by a head over pacesetter Midnight Horizon (Anthony Haughan). D Island Rebel (Travis Henry) finished seven and a half lengths back in third. The five-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear was driven by trainer Mark Estell and notched his second win in three 2010 outings for owner-breeder David Snowden of Bowmanville, ON.
The series, for non-winners of $45,000 as of August 1, 2010 racing for an $8,000 price tag (with allowances), will continue next Wednesday at Hanover with the final scheduled for Saturday, September 11.
A reminder there is no racing Saturday due to the 146th annual Hanover Bentinck and Brant Ag Fair.
To view Wednesday's results, click here.