Making his first start in nearly a year, eight-year-old pacer Sportsline picked up where he left off last June: winning the Preferred 3 at Clinton Raceway for trainer Pat Bissett.

Todd Ratchford picked up the catch-drive and sent Sportsline down the road in the afternoon's $5,500 opener, setting fractions of :29.4, 1:00 and 1:28 before stopping the timer in 1:56.3. Harpers Hat Trick followed 1-1/2 lengths behind from the pocket with Azucar Jack well back in third. Sent postward as the 7-2 third choice, Sportsline paid $9.10 for his successful return to the races.

The son of Sportswriter is a career winner of 29 races and $271,359 from 84 starts, currently owned by Craig Parrott of Windsor, Ont. 

Clinton's Sunday card included a trio of $7,500 Pop-Up Series finals with the Lorne House-trained Sports Nation ($3.90) completing a sweep of the three-week division for male pacers with a two-length victory in 1:59.3 in rein to Travis Henry after being parked through the :28.2 first quarter.

The series was for horses that have raced in an $8,000 claimer that were non-winners of $2,500 in their last five starts or non-winners of a race in 2024.

Despite a trailing tier start in the Pop-Up Series final for trotters, trainer Pam Forgie's new acquisition Charmbo Prince ($4.20) and Anthony Haughan made front turning for home and drew off by 6-1/2 lengths at the end for a 2:02 triumph over a track downgraded to 'good.' He was also a wide-open winner last time out in the May 26 leg of the series.

Trained by Riley Simpson, Little T ($4.60) dominated the pacing fillies and mares final with a seven-length romp in 1:59.2 with Jason Ryan along for the ride.

Wagering topped the $70,000 mark, a new high through the first three cards of the season.

The Vanastra Curling Club held a trackside fundraiser and was able to raise just over $4,000 despite a late card downpour. 

Race fans had the chance to win an Ontario Sires Stakes 50th Anniversary VIP package for four to attend the Kin Pace final on Sunday, July 7. Winners will also be chosen the following two Sunday afternoons at the track.

Live harness racing continues on Father's Day with a fun-packed afternoon celebrating all things Dad on Sunday, June 16.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada; Photo of Sportsline winning at Clinton Raceway on June 11, 2023)