It was a pedal to the metal approach taken by driver Guy Gagnon with Maracasso in Monday’s $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap for horse and gelding pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and it proved to be the winning move for the Fred Bourgault trainee.
Fresh off of a 1:56.2 win in the top class one week earlier, Maracasso marched right to the lead from Post 6 in Monday’s quest to repeat. And repeat he did. He sliced out splits of :27.4, :57.4 and 1:26.3 before using a :30.1 closing panel to win by a head over Artistic Pick in 1:56.4. Bettors Western took home third prize.
The win was the second of the season from three attempts for the eight-year-old son of Lis Mara-Miss Picasso. The 24-time winner, who is owned by Ecurie Alpha of Metabetchouan, QC, recently pushed his lifetime earnings over $100,000.
Tuition Money used the same tactical approach for Team St. Louis to take home top honours in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers.
Marc St. Louis hustled the gelding to the top from Post 4 and together they led the group through panels of :28, :57.4 and 1:28 before using a :29.3 closing quarter to win by 4-3/4 lengths over Levis Day in 1:57.3. Third prize was earned by Another Great Pick.
Danielle St. Louis trains the six-year-old son of Real Desire-Amarillo Sky for owner Bill Collins of Clio, MI. The win was his second of the season from four attempts. The 22-time winner is closing in on $110,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.