Thundering Ovation was a repeat winner in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Trot at The Raceway at the Western Fair District as she romped to a five-length victory in Friday night's feature event.
Driver Paul MacKenzie left from post one with Western Fair District's 2014 Older Trotting Mare of the Year and posted fractions of :28.2, 1:00 and 1:29.2 en route to the 2:00.1 victory over the track rated "good" with a three second allowance for the snowy conditions. Thundering Ovation paid $4.20 to win as the favourite after a half-length score in the same class last Wednesday. Kennel Buddy (Travis Henry) finished second over Cold Certified (Robert Shepherd).
Gerald Sloan trains the homebred daughter of Thunder Road for Joanne and Courtney Sloan of Harley, Ont. The six-year-old mare, who was just a nose away from five in a row, is a lifetime winner of 25 races and over $243,000.
Also on a winning tear, the McMaster Stables' pacing mare American Grace was victorious for the seventh consecutive start on Friday night. Driven by Lorne House, the six-year-old daughter of Allamerican Native fought off the persistent Kendal Gucci (Alfie Carroll) to prevail by half a length in 2:02.3. Her win streak extends back to November and includes four in a row at the London, Ont. oval. Sent postward as the 1-5 favourite, American Grace paid $2.60 to win.
Canada's 2014 Future Star O'Brien Award finalist Tyler Borth was the driving star of the night with four wins on the 11-race card, bringing his career total to 200. Western Fair's season leader Alfie Carroll won three races.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair.