Kiss Me Im Irish circles field in Northside closer

Kiss Me Im Irish (Big Jim) puckered up her lips to hit the line first and complete a last-to-first rally in the final Winners-Over of the year at Northside Downs on the track’s closing day Saturday (Nov. 19).

Ryan Campbell, taking over from regular driver Mark Pezzarello, stowed the mare away in the trailing spot through the opening panels of :28.4 and :59.3.

The mare moved onto cover on the final trip down the backside, advancing to fifth by three-quarters in 1:29. She kicked three-wide as the field swung for home and got up to nail pacesetter A Better Man (John Kennedy) on the wire in 1:59.2.

The latter was bested by a nose and held a neck advantage over show finisher Gentry Seelster (Pezzarello).

KISS ME IM IRISH REPLAY

It was the Kiss Me Im Irish’s 25th career win in 81 attempts, and it increased her earnings total to $40,635. She finished third in the Governors Cup on Nov. 13 but won just one other Winners-Over event this year. Bernard Macneil of Miscouche, Joseph MacNeil of Ingonish, and trainer Robert Macneil of Sydney Mines own the mare.

The victory locked up the drivers’ title for Campbell. He entered the day tied with Ardon Mofford, and both scored one earlier in the day. Campbell tallied 24 to Mofford’s 23. Pezzarello finished third with 22, followed by Kennedy with 20.

Angus Bates was the meet’s top trainer with 18 wins from 100 starts. Mofford also finished runner-up in that category with 15.

Northside Downs will resume racing in May 2023.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink