A set of Preferred events went postward Monday evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with Little Clayt and Kennel Buddy taking the checkered flag in their respective assignments.
Little Clayt turned a two-hole trip into a 1:55.4 score in the $7,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers. J Harris landed his charge into the pocket spot while Cobalt Man hustled through panels of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4. Real Kid put heat on the leader in the middle stages of the mile, but the pressure took its toll on those speedsters. Little Clayt shook loose in the lane and fired home in :28.3 to win by 2-1/2 lengths over Cobalt Man in 1:55.4. Markathy earned the show dough.
John Kennedy of Hanover, Ont. owns and trains the four-year-old son of How Fleet He Is-Pick A Dilly. It was the second consecutive win for the gelding, who owns an impressive record of 9-4-0 from 16 trips to the track this season. The 19-time winner has banked $78,500 to date.
Kennel Buddy staked claim to bragging rights in the $8,300 Preferred 3 for trotters. The six-year-old son of Ken Warkentin-Berniece Daniece sat second through an opening quarter in :28 before moving to the front and slicing out middle splits of :58.3 and 1:28.4 for driver Travis Henry. The gelding used a :29.3 kicker to win by 2-3/4 lengths over Muscle Ave in 1:58.2. Rainbow Gold completed the Triactor ticket.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, the David Dowling trainee posted his sixth win of the season and the 24th of his career. Allan Neal of Grand Bend, Ont. owns the winner of $221.704.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.