The Atlantic Sires Stakes rolled into Cape Breton on Saturday, bringing the best two-year-old pacing colts to Northside Downs for a pair of lucrative divisions.
In the first $10,120 'A' divison, Fern Hill General came into the day with a perfect record and he left the scene with that pristine summary intact. After Fern Hill Gusto (Marc Campbell) and Alldwaytocardigan (Myles Heffernan) took early turns on the lead through the :29.1 opening quarter, Fern Hill General landed on the front just before the :58.1 half and was never seriously challenged from there. A 59-second back half was more than enough to win by more than two lengths in 1:57.2 over former paddock friend Fern Hill Gusto with Woodmere Bankroll (Mike McGuigan) best of the rest in third.
Earl Smith trains Fern Hill General (Malicious - Noble Ellen) for co-owners PEI-based owners Peter Smith and Gerald Morrissey. In four starts, the rookie gelding boasts four wins and $21,780 in earnings.
Dismissed at odds of nearly 6-1, Stash It Away raced with the confidence of an even-money favourite in his AtSS 'A' division, and based on his Saturday performance even money is likely what his odds will be in his next start. Driver Mark Pezzarello pointed the son of Pang Shui to the front, made four left turns and then smiled for track photographer Tanya Romeo after returning to the winner's circle victorious with the mile timed in 1:59.2. Longshot Check Your Source (McGuigan) took his shot from the pocket but could only manage second best with Rollwithhottytoddy (Ryan Campbell) just back of the front pair.
Stash It Away (Pang Shui - Allamerican Napa) was a $17,500 Atlantic Classic Yearling Sale purchase by Reg MacPherson of Stratford, P.E.I. The rookie pacer now sports a 2-1-0 in three starts with $7,729 in earnings.
The last time Intended Royalty made an appearance at Northside Downs, he captured the Nova Scotia Governor's Cup. Exactly nine months after that win in November 2020, he returned for the $3,000 J.A. Ferguson Memorial Series Final. Regular pilot Redmond Doucet guided the 10-year-old son of No Pan Intended to a gate-to-wire victory, winning by more than three lengths in 1:56.4 over Southwind Ricardo (Marc Campbell) and Johnnie Jack (Ryan Campbell).
Randy Copley trains the 54-time winner and co-owns with Edward Copley of Inverness, N.S. Intended Royalty sports a 5-1-0 summary from seven seasonal starts with a lifetime bankroll of $134,266.
To view the results from the Saturday card of harness racing at Northside Downs, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.