Full second trimmed off record

A possible run-away victory for Minor Wisdom, with teenager Ryan DesRoche driving, turns into a photo finish during racing at Alberton racetrack

Minor Wisdom, with 19 yearold Ryan DesRoche in the bike, is the new record holder for the Prince County Exhibition’s matinee track.

The record fell in the featured Harry O’Brien Memorial Pace, a match race between Pictorian Storm, piloted by Austin Sorrie, and Minor Wisdom. Minor Widsom posted a wire-to-wire victory in 1:59.4.

The winning duo shaved a full second off the standard that Ferrari Gold and Terry Gallant established in Alberton more than a decade ago.

Minor Wisdom, owned by Kristina McCourt, quickly opened up a wide lead of nearly six lengths on the Walter Simmons entry by the back stretch in what looked like an easy win.

But Pictorian Storm closed the gap by the three-quarter mark, and the two entries were side by side rounding the final turn making for an exciting race to the finish for a prize that included a full set of racing harness.

“I’m not going to lie, I thought he won,” DesRoche said of his fellow driver’s finish.

But Minor Wisdom was still ahead by a nose when the two entries hit the wire.

For DesRoche, who was coming off his biggest weekend of racing ever, having posted three wins day in Summerside on July 23, this is the third year in a row he guided a McCourt horse to the win in the Harry O’Brien event.

He did it first with What a Bad Girl, and now twice with Minor Wisdom.

Minor Widsom cut out fractions of 27.4, 57.2 and 1:27.2 in Saturday’s feature, cosponsored by the Town of Alberton.