Accelerator tops on opening day at Northside Downs
NORTH SYDNEY — Accelerator outduelled Johnnie Jack in the stretch drive to take the afternoon feature race in 1:59.1 as part of a nine race card on opening day of the 2021 season Saturday afternoon at Northside Downs.
Driver Greg Sperling guided the eight-year-old to his 23rd career victory, winning by a quarter length for owners Shelly Fewer and Sean Blanchard.
Accelerator sat second throughout most of the mile before angling to the outside to take the lead over early leader Southwind Ricardo and driver Gerard Kennedy before the three-quarter mile mark. Johnnie Jack finished second after rallying from fifth early in the mile and was beaten by just a neck with Southwind Ricardo staying for third another two lengths back.
The victory was one of two wins on the day for Sparling, who also guided Dusty Lane Westy to a 2:03.1 victory in the afternoon‘s final race of the day for owner Travis Campbell.
Four-year-old mare Elm Grove Ocean paced the fastest mile of the day, taking the Filly and Mares Open Pace in a new mark of 1:59 for driver Martin Bates and owners
Done For The Day Stable of New Waterford.
Other winners on the card included Dellas Playboy for
Ardon Mofford in a maiden mark of 2:02.2, Gentry Seelster for Mark Pezzarello in 2:00.1, Windsong Katie for owner and driver Barry Bates in 2:03, Hotlikewasabi for Richie Baryluk in 2:00.1, Howmac Napoleon for Harold LeBlanc Jr. in 2:01.4, and Dusty Lane Royal for Ryan Campbell and owner Leonard MacLellan in 2:01.3.
Racing action returns to Northside Downs on Saturday with the first race post time set for 1 p.m. As of press time, spectators are still not permitted on the grounds for the race due to provincial COVID-19 restrictions.