A pair of $12,000 Preferred classes went postward on Monday (March 30) evening at The Raceway at the Western Fair District with Cheddar Bay taking the Preferred Handicap Pace and Royalty Beer taking the Preferred Handicap Trot.

In the pacing feature, Ideal Perception (J Harris) led the charge through panels in :27.2, :56.4 and 1:24.3. Cheddar Bay (Brett MacDonald) followed the leader's wake in the pocket up until the stretch when Cheddar Bay overtook the pacesetter. The Peter Core student continued home to win by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.2. P L Oliver (Samuel Fillion) finished second with Harborlite Ambrose (Austin Sorrie) third.

Cheddar Bay is a 10-year-old Betterthancheddar - Mystical Seelster gelding owned by breeders Donald and Heather McGregor. In 153 career starts, Cheddar Bay has racked up $347,216 with a record of 31-34-19. In eight starts this year, he has produced a tally of 2-1-2. At 2-1, he paid $6.30 to win.

In the $12,000 Preferred Handicap Trot, Royalty Beer left from post six with Samuel Fillion in tow, secured the early lead and never looked back. After clicking out the fractions in :29.1, :59.3, and 1:27.3, Royalty Beer continued home to win by half a length in 1:57.2, fending off Lookproud (Brett MacDonald) in the stretch drive. Livingitlarge (Lorne House) rounded out the top three.

Royalty Beer is a seven-year-old Royalty For Life - Beer Maggs gelding owned by breeder Ecuries Maguire Inc along with trainer Jean-Francois Maguire. With the win on Monday, Royalty Beer now owns a record of 37-22-20 in 117 starts with $463,237 earned. In 10 starts this year, he has won three of his outings. As the bettors' choice, he paid $2.60 to win.

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

(Standardbred Canada)