David Kelly’s troupe of Western Canada-bred imports to Ontario were in sharp form on Monday, May 25 at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, giving the trainer-driver three pacesetting wins on the 10-race card.

Kelly kicked off the program with a victory behind Outlaw Blue Isle ($5.40), who won for the first time since shipping to the province with the trainer. The eight-year-old daughter of Blue Burner-Isle Of Shoals fired away from post six, went unchallenged through the first three-quarters of the mile, and repelled Muktuk Annie (Brady Galliers) to win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:56.4. Kelly, a resident of Alton, Ont., shares ownership with Don McDougall of Calgary, Alta.

Kelly reached the winner’s circle next in the ninth race, the first half of a late-double sweep. He put Catfish Jack ($4.60) on the lead from post three and was again unopposed past three-quarters. Diamond Ryder (Robert Doyle) brought a stern test on the final turn, but Catfish Jack held firm to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:54. Catfish Jack, a six-year-old Bjs Bequia-Hot Night gelding, is owned by Kelly, along with Randy Smith of Calgary.

Blue Star Sapphire wrapped up the Kelly triple as the five-year-old daughter of Westwardho Hanover-Telegraph Hanover wired the field from post six for a one-length victory in 1:58. Kelly co-owns her with Don McDougall and Daniel McDougall of Calgary.

Kelly’s training triple raised his seasonal total to 14 wins from 125 starts. The Nova Scotia native brought his operation to Ontario after racing in Western Canada since 2016. He won the training title at The Track On 2 six times and won the 2019 Future Star Award. His career stats as a trainer now read 573 wins and $3.6 million in earnings from 3,617 starts.

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

(Standardbred Canada; photo of David Kelly driving in 2023)