Mando Fun back in the winner’s circle at Northside Downs

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — Mando Fun stepped to his second win in a row, this time leading from the word go to pace the fastest mile of the season, winning in 1:56.2 to highlight an eight-race card at Northside Downs on Saturday.

Ryan Campbell drove the nine-year-old gelding to the win, his fourth on the season from 13 starts for owners Ron Seymour Jr. and Aubrey Cameron.

The margin of victory was six and a half lengths over Gentry Seelster, with Runaway Mystery finishing third. Southwind Ricardo, Revenant, Julian I Am, and A Better Man rounded out the field of seven.

Gerard Kennedy was the only driver on the program to record multiple wins.

Kennedy opened the day by guiding Nice Jimpants to a maiden mark of 2:02.2 for owner Joseph Lewis, winning over Farmers Fieldstone and Dellas Wildcat. Kennedy capped the driving double by leading all the way with Bobjohnski, who was a wireto-wire winner in 2:02, his second on the season for owner Ken Lewis.

Northside Downs also played host to a pair of amateur races, which were won by Jeremy Baker and QTS Charlie in 1:58.4 Eastcoast Invader and Monica Sutherland finished second with Ten Mile Beach and Keigan Madden third.

The second amateur race was won by Eastcoast Mariner and Sutherland in 2:02.1, over Lotus Sena and Aidan Dicks, with Articulate Barb and Shane Faulkner third.

Both Baker and Sutherland advanced to the Nova Scotia Amateur final in September to be held at Northside Downs.

Other winners on the afternoon included Joyful Lady, her third in a row, in a new mark of 2:02.2 for Adam Lynk and owners Ratchford Stable N.S., Literally Hanover for Ardon Mofford and owners Jim and Jane Lewis in 1:58.2, and Shadowcross Hooper for Greg Sparling and owners Richie and Sandra O’Donnell in 2:03.4.

Meanwhile, Accelerator for Richie Baryluk and owner Shawn Blanchard also won in 2:00.3, and Howmac Napoleon for Harold LeBlanc Jr. in 2:00.4 for owners Ian MacKinnon, Joel and Harold LeBlanc and Brenda MacQueen in 2:00.4.

Fans wagered $13,506 on the card.

Live harness racing action resumes on Saturday at 1 p.m. It will feature the Atlantic Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing colts, and two- and three-year-old trotters.