Arrakis up in time!

Arrakis prevailed from a blanket finish for his fastest harness racing win of the year on Sunday in the Preferred 2 Trot at Georgian Downs.

The nine-year-old Federal Flex gelding took a pocket position for the fifth straight week, following Serenity Cruise (Denis Gueriel) through :27.1 and :57 opening panels. Driver Bob McClure slid Arrakis to the outside behind Esquire (Colin Kelly) when that rival moved past on the outside and pressured the leader.

Serenity Cruise battled past three-quarters in 1:24.4 but could not sustain his fight and ceded command to Esquire at the head of the stretch. Esquire led down the lane, but Arrakis rolled up and I Got The Looks (Travis Cullen) surged at the pylons. The trio trotted all-out to the finish, and Arrakis put his nose in front to take the victory in his seasonal best time of 1:55.

I Got The Looks lost the win photo but finished second. Esquire was third by a neck.

ARRAKIS REPLAY

Francis Guillemette of Guelph owns and trains Arrakis, who is six-for-13 this year. The gelding has won 23 of 186 lifetime starts and has earned $389,904.

McClure, a Woodbine Mohawk Park regular, had a grand slam on the day.

Racing returns to the Georgian Downs oval in Innisfil, Ont. at 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10. The day will consist of 10 races.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink