NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — There is no mystery about newcomer Runaway Mystery, who has made an instant impact in the first two race programs of the 2020 season at Northside Downs.
The six-year-old gelding paced the fastest mile on Saturday afternoon, winning in one minute and 59.10 seconds to highlight an eight-dash card of harness racing.
Driven by Harold LeBlanc Jr., who co-owns with Gussie Burns, Runaway Mystery won an early battle for the lead with Accelerator, and then led the field of six the rest of the way, holding off a late challenge in the stretch from Accelerator to win by a length. Private Paradise rallied from last up the inside to finish third in the field of six, followed by Brookdale Buster, Southwind Ricardo and Wildcat Jet.
Mark Pezzarello and Greg Sparling led all drivers with a pair of wins each. Pezzarello opened the day by winning the first two races, prevailing with SR Bazinga in the opener, recording his first lifetime win for owners Ron Seymour Jr. and Aubrey Cameron in 2:04.40, before scoring with Eastview Dexter in 2:01.30 for Brian O'Donnell. Sparling's wins came with Johnnie Jack for owner Travis Campbell in 2:05.10 and Whiskeys Fine for owners Danny and Terri Morrison in 2:02.30.
Other winners on the afternoon included: Gotfaithincowboys for Barry Bates and owner Angus Gillis in 2:01.30, Brother John for Randy Getto and co-owners Susan MacSween and Wayne Hardy in 2:03.40, and Kiss Me Im Irish for Carey Romeo and owners Joseph, Bernie and Ian MacNeil in a new mark of 2:00.10.
Total wager on the afternoon was $9,878. Racing returns to Northside Downs on June 27 at 1 p.m.
