Austin Sorrie went into the Monday, Nov. 25 evening card at The Raceway at Western Fair District needing four wins to achieve his milestone 1,000th driving victory, so the Freelton, Ont. resident did one better and nabbed five wins on the card.

Sorrie rattled off a quick natural hat trick in races five through seven, winning with Ballykeel Painter ($2.70) in 1:57.2, Night Terror ($4.90) in 1:58.1 and Kellys Kira ($7.70) in 2:01.1. 

In race 10, a claiming pace worth $5,000 for horses and geldings, Sorrie and Ashers Basher controlled the timer with splits in :28.1, :59 and 1:28.1. Fending off a first-over bid from Tea Toddler Dot (J Harris), Ashers Basher touched the wire first, three-quarters of a length the best in 1:59.3. Tea Toddler Dot was second and Kiss My Bet (Lorne House) was third.

Unraced as a freshman, the three-year-old Bettors Delight-Ashlees Star gelding earned his second career victory in 24 starts. Gordon McDonnell owns and trains Ashers Basher. He paid $10.80 to win.

The win was also the milestone triumph for Sorrie, who is now just under $3,000 shy of $9 million in career driving earnings. Sorrie started driving in 2018 and is having a career-best season with 220 wins to date. In 2020, Sorrie won the O'Brien Award for Future Star.

Passing 1,000 wins and completing a five-bagger, he achieved his final win in the finale with La Sun Control ($21.10) in 1:55.2. 

To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Western Fair Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)