Federal Army was a pillar-to-post winner in Tuesday (March 28) evening’s co-featured $7,500 Preferred 3 Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, dismissing a stern first-over challenge from Lets Leavem and evading pocket rival What Can I Say for a 2:00.4 score over the London half-miler.

After late breaks marred his last effort at Flamboro, trainer-driver Bruce Richardson sent the six-year-old Federal Flex gelding immediately to the front to control early splits of :30.2 and 1:01.2. Federal Army withstood a strong first-over challenge up the backstretch from Lets Leavem (Alfie Carroll), sprinting off at head-stretch after being forced through a :29.3 third quarter. Ultimately, Federal Army would go on to defeat What Can I Say (Colin Kelly)—who angled out from the pocket to give chase through the final sixteenth—by 1-1/2 lengths, while favourite E L Rock (Nick Steward) stayed on for third by way of a ground-saving journey.

J. Peter Irwin shares in ownership of Federal Army with Richardson. Federal Army, who returned $17.50 to win, captured his second triumph in four starts this month, and the 17th of his career.

In the co-featured $8,000 conditioned event for distaff pacers, even-money public choice Open Skies controlled the terms and parried a late push from 15-1 outsider Sweet Queen Cole for a 1:57.3 victory, her third straight and seventh in eight starts.

The new acquisition for owner Jeffrey Williamson and trainer James Watt battled between Sweet Queen Cole (Mark Williams) and Brookdale Liz (Ryan Holliday) to achieve control on the first turn, setting fractions of :27.4, :58.1, and 1:27.3 before digging in through the stretch to keep Sweet Queen Cole three-quarters of a length at bay. Chicagosonaroll (Bob McClure) stayed on for third after only mustering mild first-over gains through the middle stages.

J Harris, who captured the thousandth win of his driving career on Monday (March 27), was at the helm aboard the four-year-old Skydancer Hanover mare. Open Skies paid $4.10 to win.

To view Tuesday's full results, click on the following link: Tuesday Results - Western Fair.