It took most of the stretch drive, but Passarino chased down favourite Royalty Beer following a pocket trip to snag the $12,000 Preferred Handicap Trot on Monday, March 16 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.

Passarino, who hit the board but missed the win in his previous three outings, accepted a pocket trip for Jason Ryan while Royalty Beer (Samuel Fillion) shot away from post five to take command. The five-horse field travelled single-file from the first turn through the quarter in :29 and half in :59.4 until Livingitlarge (Lorne House) rolled out of third as they entered the backstretch.

Livingitlarge initially advanced to be level with Passarino, but he lost ground as Royalty Beer picked up speed to three-quarters in 1:29.1. Passarino, remaining in the pocket around the final turn, looked to the inside as they straightened for home and surged late to nab Royalty Beer by a neck in 2:00.3. Livingitlarge finished third.

Passarino, a homebred for Seawind Amg Stables 2005 Inc. of Bouctouche, N.B., won for the fourth time in nine starts in 2026 and is now 17-for-83 lifetime with $367,666 in earnings. Garry Merner trains the six-year-old son of Lookslikeachpndale-Perfect Prelude. The winner returned $5.20.

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

(Standardbred Canada)