Merigo Magic (Tobago Cays) extended his unbeaten streak to five wins in his three-year-old harness racing season with an impressive open-length victory in the Atlantic Sires Stakes (AtSS) A division for sophomore male pacers on Saturday at Northside Downs.
The gelding burst out of the gate, establishing a five-length lead as he clocked the opening quarter in :28.2. Driven by Adam Merner, Merigo Magic settled into a comfortable pace, reaching the half in :59.2 and three-quarters in 1:29.3, with Check Your Chip (Myles Heffernan) mounting a challenge on the backstretch. However, Merigo Magic accelerated on the final turn, widening his lead to three-and-three-quarter lengths to secure the victory in 1:58.1. Check Your Chip finished a valiant second, while Pauls Crown (Marc Campbell) claimed third.
This triumph marked the third consecutive stakes win for Merigo Magic, following victories in the PEI Colt Stakes Gold division and his split of the Donnie and George Turner Memorial. Trained by Melissa Rennie, the gelding boasts a lifetime record of 10 wins in 15 starts, amassing earnings of $71,890 for owners Mike May, Hernan McQuaid, Derrick Cameron, and Ian Walker.
In the second AtSS A division, Tobins Chester (Shanghai Phil, Campbell) emerged victorious. He surged from the pocket on the backstretch, winning by four-and-a-half lengths in 1:55.4. Jackies Boy (Heffernan) and Dunsan Harry (Merner) followed in second and third, respectively.
Tobins Chester, who clinched the Atlantic Breeders Crown at two, has earned $64,971 in his career, with nine wins from 13 starts. This season, he has two wins from three races under the guidance of trainer Ashley Gamester and owner Donald MacRae.
The B division winners included Jack Boswall (Tobago Cays, Campbell, 1:57.1) and Beers On Me (Source Of Pride, Campbell, 2:00.1).
Marc Campbell was the leading driver of the day, making four trips to the winner’s circle on the 14-race card.