The Atlantic Sires Stakes made its way to Cape Breton on Saturday, Aug. 26, bringing some of the Maritimes' best three-year-old filly pacers to Northside Downs.
Two 'A' divisions were contested at a purse of $9,960 each, with a single $4,000 'B' division as part of Northside's 12-dash afternoon offering.
Lookoveryour was the fastest AtSS winner of the day, delivering as the 4-5 choice in the second division. Marc Campbell had Lookoveryour sitting in the pocket behind Next In Line (Ryan Campbell) through early fractions of :27.4 and :57.4. Lookoveryour got her marching orders down the backside and cleared to the lead after a 1:27.3 third panel. It was lights out from there. Campbell could look over his shoulder for challengers, but none threatened as Lookoveryour was more than four lengths the best in 1:56.4. Next In Line stayed for second with Woodmere Heather M (Brodie MacPhee) rounding out the top trio.
Trained by Campbell for owners Jeff Valley of Thornton, Ont. and Philip Valley of Vernon River, P.E.I., Lookoveryour (Stonebridge Terror - Philotes Nourrir) picked up her fourth win of the year and first in Atlantic Sires Stakes action. In 12 seasonal starts, she sports a summary of 4-2-3 with more than $22,000 in earnings. She paid $3.60 to win.
Redland Misspretty had everything her way in the first AtSS 'A' split, winning on the engine and pacing back to her lifetime mark. Driver Dale Spence used that rail starting spot to push out early, gain the lead and then never gave it up. After early splits of :28.2, :58.3, Woodmere Jade (Myles Heffernan Sr.) applied first-over pressure through a 1:28 third station but Redland Misspretty was just getting started. She kicked home in :29.2 to hit the wire three lengths to the good in a time of 1:57.2. Favoured Gosistersoulsister (Redmond Doucet) couldn't make gains from the pocket spot and settled for second with Itsuptoyou (Marc Campbell) next best.
A daughter of Source Of Pride-Woodmere Nora, Redland Misspretty is owned by Brian Mac Gregor of Bedford, N.S., Rebecca Blaisdell of Freeland, P.E.I. and Howard Anderson of Trenton, N.S. Kyle Williams trains the two-time winner of more than $20,000, who returned $4.60 on a $2 win ticket.
Eastcoast Ms Haney ($5.20) and driver Monica Sutherland prevailed in the $4,000 AtSS 'B' division, wearing down pacesetter Weather The Storm to win by a nose in 2:04.4. Sutherland trains the daughter of Arthur Blue Chip - Manhattan Delight, now a four-time winner this year after being unraced as a rookie, for breeder-owner Todd Sutherland of Port Hood, N.S.
The outside post six was not an issue for Q Ts Charlie and driver Marc Campbell in the $1,600 Winners Over event. Hustled to the top from the outside, Q Ts Charlie cleared Runaway Mystery (Harold Leblanc Jr.) through the opening turn and that was the closest a rival get. Q Ts Charlie wired that group of older pacers, winning by nearly six lengths with the timer tripped at 1:57. Jeremy Baker trains the seven-year-old son of Proven Lover - Neverquits, now a 22-time winner with more than $25,000 in earnings, for John Murphy of Port Hawkesbury, N.S. He paid $4 to win as the even-money choice.
To view the results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Northside Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.