Two newcomers to The Track On 2 Claiming Series, Jus Ched and Avas Angel Baby, were victorious in the second leg on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The pacing series began last week for $4,000 claimers that were non-winners of $35,000 lifetime or $15,000 in 2026, with the claiming tag increasing to $5,000 in round two.

Just Ched ($11.10) joined the series for round two and overcame a trailing tier post nine start and traffic trouble in the stretch to win the $3,800 horse and gelding division in 1:57.4 over the "good" track for trainer Rick Schneider, who shares ownership with Zoe Schwabe of Adrossan, Alta. Driver Dave Kelly tipped the 9-2 third choice into the outer flow through the middle half and rallied home from third-over after finding a clear path on the far outside to get the 1-1/4-length victory over Its The Iceman (James Jungquist) and Promising Flight (Tyson Jacoby). 

Jus Ched, a six-year-old Betterthancheddar-Quantum Blue Chip gelding, made his 100th career start a winning one and now sports a career record reading 13-9-12 with $77,221 in purse earnings. He was a $5,000 claim last August at Century Downs by his current connections.

Avas Angel Baby ($3.30) defeated the mares opening leg winner, Westcoast Captive, with her stablemate Frostfire third for trainer Rebecca Kanak. Drew Campbell guided the 3-5 favourite to the wire-to-wire victory in a career-best 1:54.2 mile. Westcoast Captive (Kelly Hoerdt) followed the cover of Frostfire (Mike Hennessy) into the final turn and rallied into second through the stretch.

Avas Angel Baby, a daughter of Sunshine Beach and Absolute Heaven, is owned by Trevor Williams of Winnipeg, Man., Aurel Vodon of Virden, Man., and Morning Line Inc. of Airdrie, Alta. The six-year-old mare was an $8,750 Century Downs claim in May by her owners and has now won three races in a row to put her career win count at nine and bankroll at $92,939.

Starters for the finals next week must have raced in both preliminary legs to qualify.

To view Sunday's harness racing results, click the following link: Sunday Results - The Track On 2.

(Standardbred Canada)