Up in class and flying from mid-pack, Avatartist rushed to the top around the final turn to win the $11,500 Preferred 2 Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday, Feb. 27 by four lengths in 1:54.1.

Positioned fourth, Avatartist sat off a :27 opening quarter set by Its A Big Secret taking the lead from Boomboom Ballykeel. Driver Bob McClure tipped Avatartist first over through the stretch first time, tracked by National Debt from second over. After a :56.3 half, Avatartist drew closer to the pacesetter approaching three-quarters, taking the advantage in 1:25.2 before kicking clear of National Debt chasing in second. Boomboom Ballykeel, off a pocket trip, maneuvered into third.

An eight-year-old gelding by Rocknroll Hanover out of the Camluck mare Cameron D Art, Avatartist, owned by William Hill, Peter Harrison, Michael Saftic and James Walker, won his 21st race in 96 starts, accumulating $308,728 in earnings. Trained by Matthew Dupuis, he paid $9.00 to win.

Owner-trainer Tiffanee Staley teamed with co-owner and driver Denis St Pierre to win the $10,500 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace with Tilikum in 1:58.

The 6-5 favourite left to sit third from post seven, sitting off Maxim Seelster setting a :29.1 opening split. Tilikum pulled first over around the turn, grabbing control past a :59.2 half and opening a two-length lead by three-quarters in 1:27.4. Leading by four-and-a-half lengths into the stretch, Tilikum coasted to the line in front of Selling The Dream rallying from third over for second, while Maxim Seelster maintained third.

Winning her 17th race in 83 starts, Tilikum, a six-year-old mare by Jeremes Jet out of the Bettors Delight mare Alice Emily, paid $4.60 to win.

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