Top Atlantic sophomores come down to the wire

Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil) avenged consecutive defeats to Jackies Boy as he held him off to capture the Carl and Marg Mackenzie Memorial for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings on Friday (Sep. 6) at Truro Raceway.

Tobins Chester, looking for his eighth stake win of the year, was ordered forward by Jason Hughes, and the gelding wrested control from Allaboutthecash (Marc Campebll) at the quarter in :27.1. The field went single-file to the half, but Jackies Boy, winner of last week’s Barrieau-McIsaac, left the pylons and kicked off a battle with the leader on the backstretch.

The pair sparred head-to-head into the final turn, where Tobins Chester etched out a length of cushion. Jackies Boy kept coming, chipping down the lead all the way home, but Tobins Chester reached the line in time to win by a nose in 1:54.4.

Allaboutthecash closed in late and finished third by three-quarters-of-a-length.

TOBINS CHESTER REPLAY

Tobins Chester is now eight-for-11 on the year. He won seven straight stakes events from June to August, including a second straight sweep of the preliminary Atlantic Sires Stakes rounds, and defeated Jackies Boy five times before the latter pulled two back in the Barrieau-McIsaac elimination and final. Ashley Gamester trains Tobins Chester, who has now earned $131,903 and won 15 times in 21 career starts for Don MacRae.

There were five total divisions of the Mackenzie Memorial on the card. The other winners were:

• Miss Wicked (Mcwicked, Corey MacPherson) took the first three-year-old pacing filly division in 1:56.4 by a length-and-a-half for trainer Joseph Baxter.
• Merigo Magic (Tobago Cays, Adam Merner) wired his opponents to take the second split for three-year-old pacing colts in 1:55.2 by two lengths for trainer Melissa Rennie.
• Woodmere Delta (Rollwithitharry, David Dowling) forged to the front after a first-over advance to score by a length-and-a-quarter in 1:55 for trainer Jeff Holmes.
• Zendayas Firstlady (Arthur Blue Chip, Myles Heffernan) crushes in the final sophomore pacing filly division, flying clear by seven lengths in a lifetime-best 1:55.4 for trainer Stephen Quinn.

Racing will continue at Truro Raceway on Sunday, Sep. 15.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink