Saulsbrook Feisty fights to Pinkney Memorial victory

Saulsbrook Feisty (Big Jim) captured the Phil Pinkney Memorial for two-year-old pacing fillies at Northside Downs on Saturday (Oct. 14) in a tough harness racing effort.

The filly followed a quick-leaving A Girl Named Tom (Paul Langille) from the second-tier post seven and entered the first turn in third. She then slipped out to march for the lead and landed there prior to completing the quarter in :29. Pressure came from Eenymeenyminymoe (Donald Gillis) at the half in :59.4 as that opponent completed a last-to-first march and edged ahead of the leader.

Saulsbrook Feisty battled back at the inside and quickly dispatched that opponent, who raised the white flag and dropped into the pocket. Saulsbrook Feisty cruised to three-quarters as a loose leader and turned for home with A Girl Named Tom reeling her in. The chaser pulled within two lengths, but Saulsbrook Feisty held her off comfortably and reached home a two-and-a-half-length winner in 1:59.1.

A Girl Named Tom was a clear second. Eenymeenyminymoe was nearly 10 lengths clear in third.

SAULSBROOK FEISTY REPLAY

Saulsbrook Feisty is six-for-nine in her rookie year, including a victory in the P.E.I. Colt Stakes. She has now earned $19,414 for trainer Carrie Saunders, who co-owns her with Lois Sanders.

The race is named for Phil Pinkney, a legendary Nova Scotia who passed away in 2021. He was one of the most successful Atlantic Canadian horse people of all time. He won 1,654 of 5,506 drives.

Trainer John Hawco won three races on the day. He took the Winners-Over with Revenant (If I Can Dream, 1:58.4) and also harnessed winners Lyndale Pixie (Pang Shui, 2:04) and Bet On Art (Royal Art, 2:02.4).

Northside Downs resumes racing on Saturday, Oct. 21.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink