by Darrell Wood

New Kent, VA — With a temperature of 90 degrees and feature races carded at 1-1/4 miles, the prospect of seeing thoroughbreds compete over the Colonial Downs turf course Sunday afternoon seemed like a possibility, but it was pacers and trotters that battled in a pair of long distance series finales over the New Kent dirt oval.

The final legs of the Good Ole USA $8,300 Trot and $8,900 Pace were contested in back to back races. Pro Deuce swept the pace by scoring a tight win over Sigh Of Relief and Charlie B in a blanket finish while Rockin To Do edged Elvis Returns by a half-length in the trotting feature.

Trainer/driver Jason Thompson’s Pro Deuce scored a first leg division win in 1:53 then wired the field in the sole second leg division at a 7/8ths mile distance. The 4-year-old Pro Bono Best gelding took advantage of a perfect pocket trip in the final to nip pacesetter Charlie B and fast closing Sigh Of Relief in 2:26. Thompson’s only three drives at the Colonial fall meet have been aboard Pro Deuce and all have been wins.

Stacy McLenaghan’s Rockin To Do earned a first leg division win in a lifetime best 1:55.3 but went off-stride in the following leg and finished ninth in a ten horse field. Jason Mac Dougall took over in the sulky Sunday and guided the 8-year-old Glory B River gelding to a come from behind win in 2:29.2. After Taste of Paradise set the first four fractions, Rockin To Do came to the far outside at the head of the stretch and passed Apparition and the front stepper en route to his 26th lifetime win.

Colonial Downs returns to action Wednesday with an 11 race card beginning at 1 PM.