Favoured Pop I ($2.90) and mid-priced pacesetter Hldontghttoyurdrms ($5.80) could not be split at the winning post in Wednesday’s (Jan. 3) $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District, reporting home as co-winners in 2:02.1.

Hldontghttoyurdrms inherited the pacesetting duties entering the first turn when Bella Palazzo (Bob McClure) broke stride amid a strong outside leave attempt and threw Aplomb Hanover (Anthony MacDonald) off stride as well. With only four horses in contention after the early mishap which saw Bella Palazzo and Aplomb Hanover both eased on the backstretch with broken equipment, Travis Henry was able to rate Hldontghttoyurdrms through soft early splits of :30.3 and 1:02.3 before a first-over bid from Northern Stormont (Scott Coulter) forced a :29.4 third sectional.

When Northern Stormont broke at the apex of the final turn after offering mild pressure, pocket rival Pop I (Ryan Holliday) was able to switch off the pegs just above the eighth pole and give chase to Hldontghttoyurdrms. The two dueled to a dead heat for win, while Star Photo (Alfie Carroll) saved third three lengths in arrears via a stalking trip.

Pop I, an eight-year-old Andover Hall gelding with 29 career wins, is trained by Amy MacDonald for Glat Kosher Racing of New Jersey. Hldontghttoyurdrms, a nine-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding, earned his 32nd career win for owner Frank Spagnolo and trainer Richard Moreau.

In the sub-featured $9,000 Preferred 3 trotting event, Charmbo Chrome ($6.70) brushed from the pocket early and drew away steadily for a six-length win over Constantino, covering a mile and a sixteenth in 2:06.4. Nick Steward drove the four-year-old Manofmanymissions entire for John and Randy Rier.

To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.