Sent off the third choice, Cenalta Call Girl ($7.60) outlasted a lengthy first-over grind to put away Southwind Ion at head-stretch and keep two further rivals at bay for a 1:57.1 score in the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Pace for fillies and mares on Wednesday (Jan. 2) at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
As 7-5 favourite Cousin Mary (J Harris) dropped out of contention after breaking following an early leave attempt, Cenalta Call Girl inherited sixth in the early going behind Southwind Ion (Colin Kelly), who dictated early splits of :27.4 and :57.4. Scott Coulter angled the five-year-old Allamerican Merlin mare out from just worse than midfield with five-eighths to go, but the pair did not encroach upon the top flight until the second circuit.
With just over a quarter mile remaining, Cenalta Call Girl worked into third spot, forcing Southwind Ion to quicken through a :29 third split. The pair duelled on the far turn and Cenalta Call Girl struck the front at the eighth pole — but with a pair of fresh threats waiting in the wings. Regal Luck (Scott Young) wedged through at the pegs to escape a collapsing pocket, and Neon Moon (Ryan Holliday) was driven to give chase off live cover, but neither could catch Cenalta Call Girl, who took her 16th career win by a length in 1:57.1. Regal Luck narrowly took second over Neon Moon.
Trainer Pam Forgie co-owns Cenalta Call Girl with Dr. Steve Taylor.
Three In A Row For Sicario
Following a pair of December wins by a combined 12-3/4 lengths, Sicario ($2.90) picked up in 2019 right where he left off in 2018, reporting home a geared-down winner in the co-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot.
After breaking before the start and landing in fourth early, the four-year-old Holiday Road gelding angled out midway on the first turn and was geared up by Travis Henry to clear Nebraska Jack (Kelly) before a :30 first quarter. After gaining command, Sicario was never challenged, rating middle splits of 1:00.2 and 1:29.2 before opening up at will to as much as a four-length lead on the final turn.
Cornering for home, Sicario was on cruise control, coasting to his third straight win in 1:59.1 while eased to the winning post. Liam Needsome (Harris) angled out in mid-stretch and closed well for second, 1-1/2 lengths back, over the one-paced Nebraska Jack.
Lindsey Kerr trains 10-time winner Sicario for Rick Rier and Pamela and John Hehn.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.