Howmac Napoleon conquers Celtic Financial Series Final

Howmac Napoleon (Articulator) turned the Celtic Financial Series Final into a one-horse harness racing affair at Northside Downs on Saturday (Sep. 30).

Off at 1/5, the gelding struck quickly from post three to take command early for Shawn Lynk. He laid down first-half fractions of :29.1 and :58.3 with Shadow Of A Daut (Kevin Bailey) stuck parked out and pressing. The outer challenger threw in the towel on the third turn, and Howmac Napoleon began to part with the rest of his rivals too.

The leader hit the gas as he approached three-quarters in 1:29.1, creating a four-length gap. He remained at top speed around the final turn, and he widened the margin to eight-and-three-quarter lengths as he cruised home in a lifetime-best-tying 1:58.4.

Finer Things (Ardon Mofford) trekked first-up in the back half and earned his place finish. Elm Grove Ocean (Keigan Madden) took third.

HOWMAC NAPOLEON REPLAY

Howmac Napoleon’s win was his fourth lifetime in 17 tries this season. He has won two straight after his convincing first leg victory, improving his career record to 18-for-86 and his bankroll to $29,151. Ian McKinnon conditions the six-year-old for Kenneth McKinnon of Glace Bay, Joel LeBlanc of Victoria Mines, Harold LeBlanc of Syndey, and Brenda McQueen of Glace Bay.

Sweet City Girl (Dali) captured the series consolation with a last-to-first effort for trainer/driver Greg Sparling. The seven-year-old mare swung three-wide down the backstretch and rallied to victory in 2:01.1. She kicked two-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Bet On Art (John Hawco), who got up over Howmac Impeccable (Bailey) for second. The winning mare broke in her elimination but was sharp in the Saturday win. She is now 19-for-101 lifetime and has earned $54,706. Sparling co-owns her with Aidan Dicks of Louisbourg.

SWEET CITY GIRL REPLAY

Revenant (If I Can Dream) rallied from fifth to win the day’s Winners-Over in 1:58.2. Zach Mullins steered the nine-year-old gelding to victory by a length-and-a-half over Gentry Seelster (Sparling).

Northside Downs will resume racing on Monday, Oct. 9.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink