Cane Pace elim to Always A Virgin

The seven remaining spots for the 53rd Cane Pace were filled on Saturday (August 25) with the racing of the $99,156 Cane Pace elimination.

Eight horses were fighting for the spots to join Southwind Lynx, who received a bye for the first leg of Pacing’s Triple Crown. The Meadowlands Pace and Art Rooney winner earned a bye as a result of being the top money earner for 2007.

In the Cane Pace elimination, Brian Sears drove Always A Virgin to an impressive victory. For the Joe Holloway trained colt, the win was his 10th in 21 career starts. Always A Virgin took the lead just past the quarter pole and never looked back, finishing in 1:51.3. Yankee Skyscaper (David Miller) was second, while the Joe Holloway entrymate, Fresh Deck (George Brennan), hung on for third. Holloway will be looking for his first Cane Pace victory on Labor Day.

Artzina, with John Campell, was seventh at the half, but closed to take fourth. Last year’s Cane winner, Ron Pierce, drove Honky Tonk Hanover to fifth place. Ghee’s House with Yannick Gingras was sixth. Gaining the last spot in the final was Tiber Hanover (Jack Baggitt, Jr.), who finished seventh.

The only horse not to advance to the final was Pandoras Sox with Cat Manzi. He went on an untimely break on the first turn and never recovered.

The field for the Cane Pace Final: Southwind Lynx, Always A Virgin, Yankee Skyscaper, Fresh Deck, Artzina, Honky Tonk Hanover, Ghee’s House and Tiber Hanover. (Freehold)

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