Gord McDonnell's Avuncular ($9.00) earned a repeat win in the $6,500 trotting feature at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Wednesday (Jan. 9), parrying a challenge from odds-on pocket rival Nebraska Jack for a 2:01.4 score.
Alfie Carroll put the eight-year-old Amigo Hall gelding on the lead from the inside post, and the pair sailed uncontested through splits of :28.4, :59.3 and 1:30.2 over good going and amid steady flurries. With three-sixteenths to go, Colin Kelly angled Nebraska Jack out of the pocket, but the favourite was rebuffed off the home turn. Avuncular was hand-driven to the winning post to defeat Nebraska Jack by a measured length, while Bop Too The Top (Scott Young) rallied belatedly for third.
Avuncular, also trained by McDonnell, earned his 29th career win and his second in as many starts this year.
McDonnell and Carroll also teamed up with Big Petes Style ($9.10, 2:01.1) in an event for $15,000 claiming pacers.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.