Artspeak filly survives inquiry, wins debut

Badditude (Artspeak) made two moves and sweated out a judge’s inquiry to reach the winner’s circle in her harness racing debut on Saturday (Jul. 2) at Georgian Downs.

Trainer/driver Aaron Byron ordered the filly forward after a tentative start and hustled her past Ohmikiyoursofine (Always B Miki, Paul Mackenzie) to take the lead after the quarter in :29. Apple Of My Pie (Western Terror, J. Bradley Harris) rushed by her to the top before hitting the half in :57.4 and supplied 1:28.3 tempo to three-quarters.

Byron activated Badditude as they rounded into the stretch, and the filly soared by Apple Of My Pie to a length-and-a-quarter score in 1:58.4. Apple Of My Pie was two lengths clear of third-place finisher Ohmikiyoursofine.

The judges reviewed a possible pylon violation by the winner and ruled that despite shaving off two pylons, she was not lapped on at the finish and was therefore allowed to keep the victory.

BADDITUDE REPLAY

Jamie Trott of Orangeville and Paul Kelly of Port Severn co-own the filly with Byron. The trio bought the filly for $14,000 from Harrisburg. She is out of Allamerican Native mare A And Gs Delight, who raced in mid-level conditions in the northeastern United States with two wins in 34 starts.

Jason Ryan recorded a driving triple on the card.

The Ontario Sires Stakes Gold series visits Georgian Downs on Sunday, Jul. 3. Two-year-old trotting fillies will take the stage for two first leg divisions, including Righteous Resolve, Duly Resolved’s full sister. The card kicks of at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink