Post luck, trainer and driver skill, trip luck, and racing luck will all be in play in a big way in the 2020 final of the Kin Pace this coming Sunday (July 5) at Clinton Raceway.
The 2020 Kin Pace final carries a purse of $64,700 and is for Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies. One of the biggest days of the entire 2020 campaign at the Central Huron oval is set to unfold on Sunday, as the final of the Kin Pace will be contested alongside six divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes for three-year-old trotting fillies.
The inaugural Kin Pace, held in 2008, was created to pay homage to the Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs of Clinton, the founders of the track.
The result of the post position draw could present the Kin Pace's three elimination winners with substantial challenges.
High Roller Duke could very well be the public's favourite off of her 1:58.2, front-end elimination romp. However, driver Doug McNair will have his work cut out for him, as he is scheduled to steer High Roller Duke from the trailing Post 8. The homebred daughter of Bettors Delight is prepared by Lacey McCabe for owner-breeder Glenview Livestock of Wallenstein, Ont.
The fastest of the elimination winners, Preeminence, will need to bring her best manners to overcome the outside Post 7. Although Preeminence won in 1:58 with an extended first-over effort, driver Bob McClure had to noticeably steady the daughter of Sportswriter leaving the gate and again early in the third quarter. Preeminence is trained by Marcel Barrieau for owners Claude Baril, Gilles Caouette and Michel Daneault.
The third of the Kin Pace elimination winners, Marzannk Hanover, has drawn Post 4 for the final. Last Sunday, driver Colin Kelly needed to pull out Marzannk Hanover's earplugs early on the final turn, and she went on to earn a close decision in 1:58.4 over Tuggingoncredit. Kyle Bossence prepares Marzannk Hanover, a daughter of Mach Three, for owner Darryl Newbigging of Komoka, Ont.
Other promising entrants in the race with a substantial chance to earn the top prize include Century Gianna, who is scheduled to start in Post 1 with rising star driver Scott Young. Logical longshot potential is found in Post 5, as Fast N Relentless demonstrated some of the best gate speed of all entrants last week. Driver Tyler Moore could have Fast N Relentless in play early to make her own trip luck. High profile reinsman the likes of Louis-Philippe Roy and Jody Jamieson will also be taking their best shots on Sunday. Roy has picked up the drive on Post 2 starter Tuggingoncredit, while Jamieson will team with Post 3 contender Watch My Speed. Top to bottom on the program page, the final of the 2020 Kin Pace appears to be a wide open event that will truly be decided by driver skill and racing luck.
In addition to full program coverage on HPIBet.com and Clintonraceway.com, additional insights will be offered in a special broadcast on cosatv.ca (linked to Facebook Live). The 90-minute show anchored by Jaime MacDonald, Greg Blanchard and Mark McKelvie will embrace the 2020 Kin Pace final and the excitement of several of the Ontario Sires Stakes divisions. The special COSA show will be the first of 12 broadcasts this year, as it was recently announced by COSA President Bill O'Donnell and show producer Curtis MacDonald.
Clinton Raceway's own interactive events on the 'Super Sunday Show, Digital Version' will include The Survivor Challenge and The Catch Driver Pick-4 (with a low 15 per cent takeout). Followers will have additional chances to win and constant entertainment throughout the day.
Sunday's total purse offering of over $217,000 promises to make the 11-race program one of the most memorable cards of the 2020 campaign at Clinton Raceway.
Post time at Clinton Raceway is at 1:30 p.m. each Sunday though September 6.
To view the harness racing entries for Sunday at Clinton, click the following link: Sunday Entries - Clinton Raceway.
(With files from Clinton Raceway)