Sugar Pie Honey Sweet In Kin Pace Final

Millar Farms' homebred Sugar Pie Honey captured the $50,000 2025 Kin Pace Final at Clinton Raceway on Sunday, July 6, holding off a late challenge to earn her fifth consecutive victory.

Eight Ontario-sired three-year-old pacing fillies lined up for the 17th edition of the Kin Pace, a race named in honour of its founders and paying tribute to past and present Kinsmen and Kinettes. First contested in 2008 (not held in 2013), the Kin Pace has become a key stepping stone for many top mares in the sport.

As the gate wings folded, Kandy Kiss (Tyler Borth) surged to the front, setting the opening quarter in :29. Sugar Pie Honey, driven by Jason Ryan, popped the pocket and took command before the half in :58.2. She continued to control the tempo through three-quarters in 1:27.4, with Highland Delight (Bob McClure) mounting steady pressure on the outside. But it was all Sugar Pie Honey down the lane, drawing off to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:57.1. Kandy Kiss held second after her pocket trip, while Highland Delight dug in for a game third.

The Bettors Delight–Kloof Street filly is trained by Nick Gallucci for Millar Farms of Stouffville, ON. The Kin Pace victory marked her eighth career win and sixth of the season, boosting her 2025 earnings to $88,000 and lifetime total to $121,320.

Also featured on the Sunday card were three divisions of the Ontario Sires Stakes Grassroots Series for three-year-old colt trotters. In Race 7, Manforce, trained by Susanne Kerwood and driven by Tyler Borth, delivered a dominant front-end performance, trotting to victory in 1:59.2. The second division went to Go Blue, who scored in 1:58.3 for trainer Gregg McNair and driver J.R. Plante. Wrapping up the trio of Grassroots splits, First Class Rule went gate-to-wire in 1:58.4 for trainer Matthew Bax and driver Todd Ratchford.

Sunday also marked the official opening of Clinton Raceway’s new, fully accessible grandstand, coinciding with the town’s 150th anniversary celebrations. A ribbon-cutting ceremony featured original members of the 1970s Kinsmen Club, who were instrumental in bringing regular racing to the Southwestern Ontario oval. The grandstand project was made possible with support from Ontario Racing and OLG.

The Clinton Mustangs Minor Baseball Organization took part in the festivities, hosting a successful trackside fundraiser that brought in $3,500 through a BBQ, bake sale, 50/50 draw, and penny auction.

A total of just over $58,000 was wagered through the mutuel windows, with a $716 carryover in the Super Hi-5 to build excitement for next Sunday’s card.

Live racing resumes on Sunday, July 13, with Clinton Raceway’s annual Kids Day event.

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

(With files from Clinton Raceway)

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