Two eliminations each for the Elizabeth Johnson Memorial for four-year-old pacing mares and the Ron Orr for four-year-old pacers who have earned less that $50,000 lifetime highlighted the 10-race card at Track On 2 on Sunday, July 28.

The first of two $5,300 elims for the Elizabeth Johnson Memorial served as the third race on the card, with Van Nuys delivering in front-end fashion.

Sent off as the 7-2 second choice, driver Phi Giesbrecht quickly hustled Van Nuys to the front of the field of six to reach the quarter in :29. Van Nuys went unchallenged to the have in 1:00 before Westcoast Captive (Logan Gillis) bullrushed to challenge the leader on the turn at three-quarters in 1:30. Van Nuys cut the corner to once again assume command, sprinting home in :26.3 to reach the wire first a half-length clear of a charging Avas Angel Baby (Jamie Gray) in 1:56.3. Westcoast Captive held for third and Miss Moonshine (David Kelly) finished fourth.

Trained by Gerry Hudon, Van Nuys is a winner in four of 11 in 2024. The daughter of Mr Wiggles-Vanity has banked $29,256 lifetime for owners Giesbrecht, Monica Hudon and Denise Andrew.

Short Sell Hanover took the second elimination using very different tactics, scoring from well off of the pace with Kelly Hoerdt in the bike.

Leaving from post six, Short Sell Hanover could see them all from seventh in the first turn while Tina La Vida (Mike Hennessy) cut the quarter in a hot :27.2. Short Sell Hanover hopped in the outer flow on the backstretch, moving no closer than sixth behind dull cover while Tina La Vida reached the half in :56.2. Tina La Vida kicked four lengths clear at three-quarters in 1:24.4 while Short Sell Hanover still had 8-1/2 lengths to make up from sixth. Surging home in :28.1, Short Sell Hanover tracked down Tina La Vida and won by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3. Handcuffed (Phil Giesbrecht) was third and CF Saving Grace (Dave Kelly) was fourth.

The 1:54.3 clocking was a career best for the daughter of Bettors Delight-Shortstory Hanover. Owned and trained by Hoerdt, Short Sell Hanover has won three times in 18 starts this season and has banked $50,157 lifetime.

Panda Beer and driver Mike Hennessy teamed up to take the first of two $5,300 Ron Orr eliminations in front-stepping fashion.

Leaving from post five, Hennessy put Panda Beer on top of the field of seven through a quarter of :28.1. Panda Beer was able to get a breather to the half in :58.1 before Laz To First (Phil Giesbrecht) moved swiftly to his outside at three-quarters in 1:27.4. Panda Beer roared back turning for home, shrugging off the challenge before rolling to a 1-1/2-length victory in 1:55.4 over Jus Ched (Logan Gillis). Laz To First held for third, with Opulent Dragon (Nathan Sobey) rounding out the superfecta ticket.

Dave Kelly trains and co-owns the son of Vertical Horizon-Panagler along with Marcia Smith and Daniel and Donald McDougall. A career earner of $44,928, Panda Beer is a three-time winner in 14 seasonal outings.

Phil Giesbrecht and trainer Gerry Hudon scored another victory on the card aboard One Major Hottie in the second and faster of the two Orr eliminations.

Giesbrecht settled the 5-1 shot in third from the rail position while Hurrikane Ferrigno (Kelly Hoerdt) worked to the lead in :27.4. The tempo slowed to the half in :57.1 before Giesbrecht right-lined One Major Hottie, who quickly soared to the lead at three-quarters in 1:24.2. The momentum carried into a three-length lead at the top of the stretch before One Major Hottie coasted to a 2-1/2-length victory over Mercedes in 1:52.4. Hurrikane Ferrigno finished third and Artican (Nathan Sobey) finished fourth.

Owned by Giesbrecht along with Monica Hudon and Denise Andrew, the son of Mystician-One Hot Majorette turned in a lifetime-best effort. Now a two-time winner in 13 seasonal outings, One Major Hottie pushed his career bankroll to $57,802.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - The Track On 2.

(Standardbred Canada)