Stretch battle decides Gary “Shack” Smith Memorial Final

Bugger Max (Believeinbruiser) held off Well Did and two other harness racing rivals in a final-quarter war to win the Gary “Shack” Smith Memorial Final on Saturday at Exhibition Park.

Bugger Max claimed the early lead as Mark Haig ordered speed, and the 12-year-old gelding completed the first quarter mile in :29.3 while repelling a pocket-popping Joes Beauty (Stephen Mason). The field continued single-file to the half in 1:00.2, but they bunched up after Joes Beauty slid out of the two-hole again nearing three-quarters in 1:30.2.

Haig asked more from Bugger Max as they entered the far turn, and first leg winner Well Did (Paul Langille) vaulted three-wide off Joes Beauty’s cover. The horses were four-across down the lane, but the defiant Bugger Max defended the lead to the line and sealed the victory in 2:01.3.

Well Did reached up for second over Jays Little Shark (Dale Spence).

BUGGER MAX REPLAY

With the win, Bugger Max recorded his 33rd career score and lifted his earnings to $137,901 in 256 outings. Gordon White conditions the gelding and co-owns him with Dale Orr, a fellow Saint John resident. It was Bugger Max’s first score in four tries this year.

The series was named after Gary “Shack” Smith, a long-time New Brunswick racing official who sadly passed away earlier this year. He was heavily involved in the sport and worked in many capacities, though his main role was as a paddock judge.

Exhibition Park also hosted the second leg of the N.B. Breeders Stakes for three-year-old pacers on the card.

Kcs Starlite scored as expected in the filly division. She was on top all the way despite first and final quarter duels for Stephen Trites in a 2:02.1 win over Elm Grove Quest (Todd Trites). Kickstart My Heart (John Davidson) was a distant third.

KCS STARLITE REPLAY

Kcs Starlite has won both legs of the N.B. Breeders Stakes. She is two-for-four this season for trainer Charles Miles, who co-owns the filly with Donald Bishop and Bruce Macdonald, two residents of Fredericton. Her overall record is four-for-11 with $14,442 in earnings.

Frivolous Appeal (Spence) captured the colt and gelding split. The son of Hes Watching bridged the gapped pocket after Brumby (Adam Merner) opened up turning for home, and Frivolous Appeal out-kicked that rival to the finish in 2:00. Brumby was easily second best; Big Time Brawler (Michael Downey) was several lengths back in third.

FRIVOLOUS APPEAL REPLAY

Blaine McKenna trains the winning gelding for Susanne MacKeigan of Albert Bridge. Frivolous Appeal has won three of her eight lifetime starts and brought in $7,706 in earnings.

The finals for the N.B. Breeders Stakes for three-year-olds are scheduled for Oct. 15.

Racing continues at Exhibition Park on Saturday, Jun. 11.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink