Veteran pacing gelding Champagne Phil protected position from the pylons and held firm on the point until the finish to take the $13,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 2 Handicap Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Tuesday (May 10).

Driver Tyler Moore pushed the 12-year-old Shanghai Phil gelding for the front to a :27.3 first quarter and cruised to the half in :56.4 before facing a threat into the backside from Racemup. That challenger ranged uncovered toward the leader to three-quarters in 1:24.4 but stalled into the final turn. Champagne Phil turned for home on a loose lead as Ohare Hanover slid off the pylons to the center of the course and took aim at the pacesetter late, but came a head short at the end of a 1:53.3 mile. Rockin In Heaven rode the pocket to finish third and Beachin Lindy closed for fourth.

Trained by Kenneth Oliver for owner ICR Racing, Champagne Phil won his fourth race from 17 starts this season and his 54th from 267 overall. He has banked $689,481 and paid $13.30 to win.

So Frisky also put together a front-stepping performance to take the co-featured $12,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 & 3 Handicap Pace. Off the odds-on choice, So Frisky swept to the lead past a :28.1 first quarter and endured first-over pressure from Top Royal through a :58.3 half and to three-quarters in 1:27.1. Top Royal then grew leg weary to the final turn and stymied the outer tier, leaving So Frisky to scoot into the stretch unburdened and in progress to a one-length win in 1:56. Laila Blue travelled a pocket trip to take second while Saulsbrook Jessie rallied from second over for third.

Conditioned by Anita Ouellette for owner Luc Ouellette Incorporated, So Frisky won her fifth race from 13 starts this season and her 27th from 89 overall. The six-year-old Dali mare has earned $197,553 and paid $3.90 to win.

Following suit, Pembrook Legacy N powered to the front and never looked back in the evening’s sub-feature, the $10,500 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 Pace. Trainer-driver Lorne House assumed command with the nine-year-old Bettors Delight gelding to a :27.3 first quarter and snagged a breather to a :57 half before hitting the accelerator. He turned into the backside and sprinted to three-quarters in 1:25 while saving enough in the tank to withstand a stretch challenge from pocket-puller Jaydens Place to win by three-quarter lengths in 1:54. Harry G rallied off a wide trip for third while J J Powerball settled for fourth.

Owned by Samuel Taylor, Pembrook Legacy N won his second race from eight starts this season and his 12th from 53 overall. He has earned $99,338 and paid $11.60 to win.

To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Western Fair Raceway.