Sent the 1-5 favourite, Remus Blue Chip wired the field in the second of four divisions for the opening round of the Alliance Claiming Series for $7,000 horse and gelding claimers, winning by five-and-a-quarter lengths in 1:59.3 on Tuesday, December 12 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Uncontested on the front, Remus Blue Chip posted swift clips of :30, :59.3, and 1:28.4, moving into the final turn two lengths in front of Major Dan chasing in second, and 20 lengths in front of Our Navigator in third. Turning for home two-and-a-half lengths in front, Remus Blue Chip expanded his margin over Major Dan heading to the line, while Our Navigator held third.
Owned by Kristina Lalonde, Remus Blue Chip, a nine-year-old gelding by Art Major out of the Jennas Beach Boy mare Jbb Ingenue, won his 10th race in 25 starts this season and his 30th in 197 starts overall, earning $183,725 in his career. Trained by Leonard Lalonde Jr. and driven by Bob McClure, he paid $2.30 to win.
Shark Reality brushed into contention late to win in the opening division at 6-1 in 2:01.4.
Positioned fourth, Shark Reality sat off tempo-setter Mr Yokassippi, who paced a quarter in :30.4 before losing the lead to Camvicted, circling to control following a 1:01 half. Shark Reality tipped first over approaching three-quarters, timed in 1:30.2, before taking the lead from Camvicted through the stretch, advancing to a three-length victory. Its Machademic, riding the rail, overtook pocket-sitter Mr Yokassippi for third.
A four-year-old gelding by Shadyshark Hanover out of the Cole Muffler mare Pimlicole, Shark Reality, owned by Donald Moore, won his fifth race in 34 starts this season and his ninth in 79 starts overall, compiling $54,110. Trained by Brett Lester and driven by Scott Young, he paid $14.60 to win.
Swooping to the front from post seven, Macktwowilldew won the third division going wire to wire in 2:01.2.
Leading through a :30.4 opening quarter, Macktwowilldew faced a first-over challenge from Fightyourobsession following a 1:01.4 half, with Putnams New Year drafting into contention second over.
Macktwowilldew held a one-and-a-half length lead on Fightyourobsession past three-quarters in 1:31.1 and gradually edged away around the final turn, finishing four-and-a-quarter lengths in front at the finish. Fightyourobsession finished second, with Putnams New Year another four-and-a-quarter lengths behind in third.
Winning his eighth race in 36 starts this season and his 23rd in 168 overall, Macktwowilldew, owned by Wayne Rowe, has earned $102,804. The Mach Three gelding out of the Falcon Seelster mare Napal Grace is trained by Patrick Shepherd and was driven by Bob McClure, returning $3.20 to win.
The odds-on favourite in the final division, Veroi Bayama won going wire to wire in 2:01.1.
Controlling through a :29.4 quarter, Veroi Bayama was under no pressure through a 1:01.1 half, and was only challenged late by Idontwanabefriends, advancing uncovered heading to three-quarters, timed in 1:30.4.
Veroi Bayama maintained the lead through the stretch, finishing two-and-a-quarter lengths in front of Windsong Kango, who rallied from second over for second, and Rocknroll Band, who rode the rail and passed pocket-rider Sandfire for third.
A six-year-old gelding by Shadow Play out of the Art Major mare Lost Art, Veroi Bayama, owned by Luc and Melissa Loyer, won his eighth race in 36 starts this season and his 18th in 133 overall, earning $83,886. Trained by Sylvia Toth and driven by Bob McClure, he paid $2.60 to win.
In the $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot, Oaklea Wyatt overcame the second tier to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths in 2:01.2.
Sitting sixth, Oaklea Wyatt sat off a :29.4 quarter set by Star Photo, who proceeded to trot a 1:01.2 half under brief pressure from Little Red Chev before he lost stride around the turn. Oaklea Wyatt grabbed cover from Overcomebyvictory at the half, and was carried to within two lengths of the lead at three-quarters, timed in 1:30.4, as Overcomebyvictory took a narrow lead from Star Photo around the final turn.
Kicking off cover into the stretch, Oaklea Wyatt drew clear from Overcomebyvictory to win, while All Out Henry, positioned third over, closed for third.
A six-year-old gelding by Amigo Hall out of the Mr Lavec mare Oaklea Lark, Oaklea Wyatt, owned by trainer-driver Daniel Potvin, won his fifth race in 19 starts this season and his 18th in 74 overall, earning $115,660. He paid $6.60 to win.
To view Tuesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.