A two-hole trip was turned into a 13-1 upset score by Monster In Law and driver Paul MacKenzie on Monday in The Raceway at Western Fair District’s $15,000 Preferred
.
Seven pacers lined up behind the starting gate in the featured tilt, and Monster In Law managed to settle into the garden spot behind a tempo-setting Acceptable Risk. That veteran splashed his way through panels of :29.3, 1:00.2 and 1:29.3 over a track rated “slow” with a three-second allowance, but he came up just a bit short in the lane. Monster In Law launched a late bid, and his :30.1 closing panel was good enough to prevail by a neck over heavily favoured Acceptable Risk in 2:00.1. Allamerican Motive closed well to finish third.
Trainer Don Beatson co-owns the seven-year-old son of Northern Luck-Family Effort with Ken Beatson of Palgrave and Sandra and Ralph Pitt of Cargill, ON. The victory was the first of the season and the 24th lifetime tally for the career winner of $357,262.
Willies Place clicked as the public’s top choice in the $11,000 Preferred-2 for pacers, and he did so in an impressive clocking of 1:59.1 over the tiring surface. Trevor Henry rallied the gelding to the 2-1/4 length decision over Western Churchill, while Button Up shook free late to grab the show dough.
Trainer Wayne Preszcator of Exeter co-owns the five-year-old son of Artsplace-Up Front Norma with Harness Racing Canada 13 of Mississauga, ON. The 10-time winner is now 2-for-4 this season after going 5-for-24 last year. The lion’s share of the purse boosted his earnings to $136,586.
Trevor Henry and Rob Sparling, Jr, who are the The Raceway’s top two teamsters this season, each reined in four winners over the course of the 12-race card. Henry holds a 20-17 lead over Sparling going into the fourth week of the year.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.