Emerald Lexus was a repeat winner in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Pace at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday night.
Sent postward as the 8-5 favourite after a wire-to-wire win in the same class last Tuesday, Emerald Lexus ($5.40) quickly overcame his assigned outside post off the gate and led the field of six through fractions of :28.3, :57.4 and 1:26.2 en route to the 1:56.3 triumph over the "good" track.
Billy Davis Jr. now has a two-for-two driving record with the pacer. Meanwhile, the nine-year-old Astreos gelding has won three of his seven races this year while banking $23,938 in purses for owner/trainer Patrick Shepherd.
Dont Say Goodby and Alfie Carroll journeyed first up when Sunny Beach Day broke stride and finish second, coming within three-quarters of a length of the winner, while Fridaynightflight and J.R. Plante followed, locked in the pocket, for third.
The Shepherd stable also won the $7,500 Preferred 2 Trot as Incredable Frank ($9.80) prevailed over 5-2 favourite Extracurricular in a two-horse breakaway, stopping the clock in 2:00.4 with Carroll aboard. The victory was the trotter's first since being claimed on February 9 at Woodbine Racetrack for $12,000.
Larry Johnson's Island View ($16.70) later rallied wide off cover in a competitive field of Preferred 3 pacing mares and defeated 8-5 favourite Murphys Ideal at the wire in 2:01.1. Bob McClure has driven the mare to two consecutive wins.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.