Seven pacers lined up behind the starting gate in Tuesday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and the elder statesman of the field came away victorious.

Button Up turned a second-over trip into a 1:55.3 triumph for Team Horner in the featured tilt for horses and geldings.

With Mike Horner at the lines, the 12-year-old son of Northern Luck-Better Butter slid into the five-hole while Kendal Gustav fired to the top and chopped out an opening quarter clocked in :26.4. Kendal Gustav proceeded to lead the group through middle splits of :55.3 and 1:24.3 while feeling first-over pressure from race favourite J M Jet Set.

Button Up followed that foe’s cover before stepping into the three-wide path and taking on Kendal Gustav on the way to the three-quarter pole. Button Up wore down Kendal Gustav in the late stages of the mile before drawing clear to win by three-quarters of a length. Kendal Gustav was a game second, with Stoney Durkin taking home third prize.

Mark Horner of St. Marys, Ontario trains the charismatic campaigner who won for the second time this season and for the 48th time in his career. The victory pushed the veteran’s lifetime earnings in excess of $800,000.

Monster In Law went to the front and didn’t look back en route to a 1:55.3 triumph in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for horses and geldings. The 10-year-old son of Northern Luck-Family Effort carved out panels of :27.2, :57.2 and 1:25.3 before using a :30-second closing quarter to seal the deal. He won by three-quarters of a length over race favourite Stompin Tom Creek. Third prize was earned by Savage Seelster.

Sent off at odds of 22-1, the gelding won for trainer Don Beatson and partners Ken Beatson and Sandra & Ralph Pitt. The 39-time winner improved his 2015 record to 3-1-0 from 13 starts with the win. The class act has stashed away more than $440,000 in his career.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.