The $12,500 Preferred Trot headlined the 12-race Monday (May 11) card at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with Siesta Sandman capitalizing on a perfect pocket trip to score with Robert Doyle in the bike. The London Classic Sale Series also commenced on the Monday program, with a pair of divisions for both trotting and pacing fillies on the program.

Siesta Sandman left from post two as the 5-2 second choice in the eight horse feature field. Siesta Sandman left alertly on the inside while the 1-5 favourite, My Buddy Sam (Brady Galliers), was forced three-deep around the first turn before crossing over in front of Siesta Sandman to reach the quarter first in :28. My Buddy Sam led to the half in :57.3 before Livingitlarge (Lorne House) began a bold first-over brush. Livingitlarge reached the leader's wheel at three-quarters with My Buddy Sam reaching that station in 1:27.3 while Siesta Sandman awaited racing room in the boxed-in pocket spot.

Livingitlarge began to retreat on the final turn, allowing Siesta Sandman room to angle from the pocket as he and My Buddy Sam separated from the pack. My Buddy Sam raced gamely to the inside, however, Siesta Sandman timed his late rally right to reach the wire a quarter-length the best in 1:58. Tymal Riggs (Mark Etsell) rallied from the backfield to be third.

Siesta Sandman is trained by Ashley Duford for owner Dennis Duford of Dresden, Ont. The four-year-old Dont Letem-Forca Barca gelding has won two of six this season, and 10 times for his career while banking $178,764 lifetime.

Immediately following the Preferred Trot, the final four races on the program featured the start of the London Classic Sale Series, with a pair of $10,000 divisions for both Ontario Sired Pacing and Trotting fillies and mares who were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of March 1. The series will offer a pair of legs, before the $40,000 finals are held on Friday, May 29, which is Camluck Classic night at Western Fair.

On the trotting side, Slim Daisy (Damien Maclellan, $3) broke her maiden in style, leading every step of the way to score by a half-length over Demi Rose (Mark Etsell) in 2:03; Mushy Peas (Brady Galliers) was third. Trained by Kyle Bossence, the victorious three-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass-Oaklea Wand is owned by Bossence of Arthur, Ont., in addition to Darlene Hayes of Carlisle, Ont. 

The second division was won by Lookstobemagic (Lorne House, $2.50), who went first-over en route to a half-length 2:00.1 score over Ellie (Austin Sorrie) and Look A Diamond (Garrett Rooney) for her fifth win in seven starts this year. Brent Belore trains the victorious Lookslikeachipndale-Magical Wonder sophomore filly for owners Karen and Daniel MacIntyre of London, Ont.

Century Montana (Damien Maclellan, $4) was a wire-to-wire winner in the first pacing division of the night, scoring in 1:56.4 by two lengths over R Sports Delight (Brady Galliers), with Weslyn Hanover (Anthony Haughan) third. Kyle Fellows trains the three-year-old Bulldog Hanover-Mary Bits filly for owners Yolanda Fellows of Rockwood, Ont., Blair Corbeil of Leduc, Alta., Windermere Stable of New York, NY, and Mike McAllister of Beaumont, Alta.

Aunt Gertrude (Anthony Haughan, $2.30) took the second division for pacers, cruising on the front-end by 2-3/4 lengths in 1:57.1. Taylor Desbi (Jason Ryan) was second, with Miss Party Girl (Brady Galliers) finishing third. Meg Crone trains Aunt Gertrude, a three-year-old Shadow Play-Art Center filly, for owner Laverne Turnbull of Kitchener, Ont.

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

(Standardbred Canada)