Manitoba stakes racing begins

The first stakes events of the Manitoba harness racing season, the Golden Boy and Silk Lace first legs for three-year-old Manitoba-sired pacers, went to post on Saturday (Jul. 23) at Miami Fair.

Emmetts Buddy (In The Irons) maintained his perfect record with a last-to-first victory in the Golden Boy first division. He moved out of the trailing spot in the second quarter for Michel Rey and got cover, fanned three wide turning for home, and got up in the final strides with a 2:06.1 clocking. George M (Tyler Grundy) finished second after leading most of the way. Jimmysinthehouse (David Howlett) was third.

Arthur Rey trains and owns his winning homebred, who is now three-for-three lifetime.

Jay Dees Scooter (Youshouldseemenow) recovered from an early break to capture the second division for driver Blake Piwniuk. He caught the pack and tipped off second-over cover on the final turn to score in 2:06.2. Ak Up N Attem (Grundy) braved a first-up bid to earn a place cheque. Missis Little Bozo (Howlett) finished third.

J. David Mooney of Wawanesa owns Jay Dees Scooter. Travis Ellis trains the colt, a three-time winner in nine lifetime outings.

Sassy Libby (Andreoli Hanover) was on top all the way in the sole Silk Lace dash, winning in 2:03.4 with Howlett in the bike. Bitsnbites (Kirk Rogers) was the only one in the vicinity as Skys Little Spunk (Michel Rey) was 20 lengths behind in third.

Marc Fillion trains Sassy Libby and co-owns her with Aurel Vodon of Virden and Donald Howlett of Winnipeg. The filly has won three of her 11 career starts.

Racing at Miami Fair continues on Saturday, Jul. 30 with a 2:00 p.m. CDT first post.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink