by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — Even-money favorite Bettor Sweet didn’t disappoint on Saturday night (June 13) as he delivered a 1:48.2 victory in the C$353,710 Pacing Classic final at Mohawk.

New Image Media photo

Bettor Sweet prevailed in 1:48.2 in the Pacing Classic.

Won The West and Greg Grismore were quickest off the wings as the field of nine mature pacers got underway, with longshot Allamerican Idol (Luc Ouellette) on Grismore’s helmet, and second choice Winbak Speed (Ron Pierce) tucking comfortably into third.

Pierce didn’t linger long, however, before hitting the throttle and sending Winbak Speed to clear as the field hit the backstretch. Won The West inherited the pocket spot and held onto it through a 1:21.4 third quarter, with Riggins and David Miller moving up from the backfield to stalk the leaders.

As the pacers entered the stretch, John Campbell sent Bettor Sweet into fifth gear to deliver the predicted duel between his gelding and Winbak Speed. The two locked horns for a blistering :26.3 final panel, with Bettor Sweet finally wearing down his rival and poking a head in front. He went on to claim the victory, with Winbak Speed three-quarters of a length behind. Riggins slipped up for third. The 1:48.2 mile was Canada’s fastest so far this year.

“(Bettor Sweet) races better off the pace, but he doesn’t need cover,” said Campbell. “I wanted to get head-and-head with Winbak Speed. I didn’t want anyone between him and myself, because I thought my horse could pace home even off that (first-over) trip.

“At the head of the stretch my horse was still pacing hard. I thought he was going to win at the head of the stretch. I wasn’t really surprised (at the time for the mile); he’s been in 1:47 and a piece and it’s not that warm tonight.”

Joe Poliseno trains Bettor Sweet, a 4-year-old gelded son of Bettor’s Delight, for John Cancelliere.

“He likes it first over. He likes to get out and roll,” said Poliseno. “He had a pretty easy week leading up to this. I didn’t do much with him because he was coming off sickness. He raced really well last week, so I was confident he could win tonight.

“He’s definitely the best horse I’ve trained. If everything stays good with him, you’ll see him back up here for the Canadian Pacing Derby.”

This was his third win of 2009 in 10 starts, and boosts his earnings over the C$500,000 mark.