Fan favourite Chinnys Wings delivered on his pari-mutuel promise as he cruised home to score his first win of the season and 40th lifetime in the featured $13,000 Preferred Trot at Western Fair Raceway on Friday night.
Blasting off the gate from post seven, Long Ago (Bruce Richardson) swept three-wide into the first turn to establish the early lead ahead of insider Just One Day (Ryan Holliday) and Grogan (Lorne House). Long Ago put up a :30-second opening panel over the sloppy track before being confronted by the 3-5 bettors' choice.
Chinnys Wings and trainer-driver Doug Bowins launched a first over attack from fourth into the stretch and took over the lead at the half-mile mark, which was reached in 1:01. The eight-year-old son of Armbro Ricochet led the eight-horse field to three-quarters in 1:31.3 and held off the rallying Lexis D J (Brandon Arsenault) to win in 2:03.4. Closing from last, Lexis D J ran out of racetrack and had to settle for second-place honours one and a half lengths behind while Long Ago finished third.
Bowins also co-owns the winning gelding with Donald Brinkman of East Coulee, Alberta.
Chinnys Wings' victory followed up a second-place effort in his initial 2013 start in the Preferred on Jan. 2. His career bankroll now stands at $335,012.
Chinnys Wings paid $3.30 to win.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.