WEGZ Stakes champion Royal Becquet returned to the winner’s circle Wednesday using the same tactics he did to collar his stablemate in that February 19 outing, but this time he faced off against some new foes at a new venue

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Royal Becquet, who pulled the pocket to prevail ahead of his stablemate Strand Hanover in the WEGZ Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack a couple starts ago, faced a field of Preferred Pacers this evening at Western Fair Raceway and tracked down front-runner Donegal Gerald (Anthony Kerwood).

Firing from Post 6 in the $15,000 Preferred Handicap Pace with Simon Allard in the bike for his brother trainer Rene Allard, Royal Becquet made the lead after being parked three-wide to the opening quarter of :27.2. He then settled for a two-hole trip as early leaver Donegal Gerald took over and put up middle splits of :57.3 and 1:26. Pulling the pocket in the stretch, Royal Becquet came on to score by a half-length in 1:56.3 with a :29.3 final frame. Longshot Button Up (Mike Horner) finished back in third after making a three-wide move down the backstretch.

Royal Becquet paid $11 to win as the 9-2 fourth choice. The eight-year-old Yankee Cam-Steady Pebble gelding notched his second win in nine starts this year while pushing his earnings to $46,865 for 2011 and $458,795 lifetime for Quebec owners Michel Allard and Nancy Lajeunesse.

For results from Wednesday’s harness racing card, click on the following link: Wednesday Results – Western Fair Raceway.