Henry Scores Central Huron Grand Slam
The Central Huron Stakes kicked off on Sunday afternoon at Clinton Raceway with a card full of first round action
. The Central Huron Stakes are for Ontario sired non-winners of $5,000 lifetime as of midnight May 1, 2011.
Sandhill Angel, driven by Trevor Henry, opened the card with a 2:03.4 romp in the first $8,000 division for trotting fillies and mares. The three-year-old Southfork-B Cor Madeline filly recorded her first win in 14 starts (most of which were marred by breaks) winning by three and three-quarters lengths for trainer Bruce Gilkinson and the Cat Sass Stable of Listowel, Ont.
In the second fillies and mares trotting division, Oaklea Tiara and driver Thomas Smith advanced from fourth and took over command near the half-mile mark before sprinting away to win by eight and a half lengths in 2:03. The three-year-old Duke Of York-Oaklea Nell miss, co-owned by her driver and trainer Jayne Walker, also earned her first career win from 12 starts.
After inheriting second place in a division of the City Of London Trotting Series over one week ago at Western Fair Raceway, Killkenny Irish wired the field of Central Huron Stakes starters to win the final female trotting division in 2:03.4 by four and three-quarter lengths with Dave Boughton aboard. Don Lindsey trains the maiden breaker for Paul Lindsey of Fergus, Ont. The sophomore daughter of Fourth And One-Grand Tiara has earned cheques in all seven of her career starts.
Henry also clicked with pacing fillies P L Etching and Southview Cosmo. P L Etching front-stepped her way to a six length score in 1:59.4 for trainer Paul Mairs and Maple City Equestrian Centre of Dresden, Ont. The daughter of Modern Art-Finally Focused earned her first win in 13 career starts. Southview Cosmo made her move en route to the three-quarter station, taking over command and holding off Poppins for the half-length score in 2:02.1. The four-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Southview Sabrina mare, a winner of four races in 21 starts, is trained by Kent Glassford, who co-owns with J. Larry Lougheed of Orangeville, Ont.
Waasmula led from start to finish in the other division for pacing fillies and mares, stopping the clock in 2:02.4 with two lengths to spare. Anthony Haughan drove the perfect three-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Waasmowin filly to her second win in as many starts for trainer Bruce Goit and owner Brent Vincent of Allenford, Ont.
Oaklea Torpedo won the first division for male trotters in gate-to-wire fashion giving driver Thomas Smith and trainer Jayne Walker another stakes win on the card. The duo co-own the sophomore son of Mutineer-Oaklea Fawn, who won by four and a half lengths in 2:05.2, with Oaklea Farm Inc. of Simcoe, Ont. The win was his first in seven lifetime starts.
West Grey Bay advanced from third past the third quarter station in his trotting test to prevail by four and a half lengths in 2:04.4 with Stuart Sowerby in the sulky. The three-year-old gelding son of Fiesty G G-Parkside Princess, who is trained, owned and bred by Keith Hastie of Priceville, Ont., earned his first win in six career starts.
The first division for male pacers went to the Bruce Richardson-reined Diamond Duster, who converted from a pocket trip to win by three-quarters of a length over pacesetter Stonebridge Scout in 1:58.3. The three-year-old Western Maverick-Diamondindisguise colt is now two-for-five in his career for trainer Russell Ellis, who shares ownership with Mary Paulic of West Montrose, Ont.
Henry found himself back in the winner’s circle after steering Troopers Champ to victory in the gelding’s pacing division. The four-year-old son of Courier Hanover-Smart Trooper rallied from last, going four-wide past three-quarters and coming on to score 2:02.1 by one and a half lengths. The Paul Taylor trainee earned his second win while making his seventh career start for owner John Watson of Blyth, Ont.
Tony Kerwood guided Peruvian Star to a 2:01.1 victory in the final Central Huron Stakes division for male pacers. The Peruvian Hanover-Touch Of Faith three-year-old gelding followed cover three-deep past the third quarter mark and closed well for the three-quarter length score. Brian Allen trains and co-owns the gelding, who earned his first victory in three starts, with Ed Laybourne of Dundalk, Ont.
The Central Huron Stakes will continue next Sunday, June 12 and will conclude with $17,500 (added) finals on the following Sunday, June 19.
The Sunday card wrapped up with a victory by Comical Princess, who shot four-wide past the third quarter mark and wore down pacesetter Behindthelines in the Spring Cleaning Stake for fillies and mares. She prevailed in 1:58.3 by three-quarters of a length. Carlynda Hanover finished over four lengths behind in third. Bruce Richardson drove the six-year-old Clowns Tears-Sign Of Summer mare to her second win of the season in 12 starts. Owned and trained by Daniel Kaufman of Gads Hill Station, Ont., Comical Princess notched her fifth career win with the effort and pushed her earnings to nearly $27,000. She was second and third in the opening legs.
For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.