Lefkada ($5.50) won for the second time in as many starts during the recently-opened season at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, capturing Wednesday night's (Oct. 14) featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot in dramatic fashion.
The four-year-old daughter of E L Titan was assigned the outside post after her 2:08.3 win over a mile and a sixteenth last week, but the impost may have proved a benefit for the proven closer. After landing last of seven behind a :28.3 first quarter from Judge Ken (Scott Coulter), Lefkada angled third-over on the second turn to work closer to a :59.4 half before saving ground on the clubhouse turn.
With five-sixteenths to go, driver Scott Wray pointed Lefkada three-wide to engage Judge Ken and the first-over Scene A Magician (Greg Dustin), setting the stage for a thrilling stretch battle. Judge Ken was pushed to three-quarters in 1:29.2 by Scene A Magician, and the two continued their duel through the far turn while Lefkada continued to close in. The mare had the last word, lifting to win in 2:00 by a widening three-quarters of a length over Scene A Magician. Judge Ken was a game third.
Trainer Jack Wray co-owns nine-time winner Lefkada with Thomas Wray and Peter Charlton.
Ontario-sired trotting fillies commenced Autumn Series competition on the undercard, with Lass Shot ($4.30) and Cool Princess ($2.30) prevailing in their respective $8,500 first-round divisions.
Lass Shot evaded a steady charge from Stonebridge Sydney to capture the first division in 2:02.1. Scott Young pushed forward early with the three-year-old daughter of Archangel, and the pair controlled a 1:01 first circuit before sprinting off from pocket rival Out On A Mission by 4-1/2 lengths on the backstretch. On the final turn, Stonebridge Sydney — who launched a three-wide bid to claim second — began to encroach, but only gained to within 1-1/4 lengths.
Brittany Kennedy owns and trains two-time winner Lass Shot.
In the second division, Cool Princess overcame an early break in stride, reset, and swept to her third consecutive victory. After her early misstep, the sophomore daughter of Royalty For Life passed all five of her rivals, chased down the live cover of Time After Time on the far turn, and lifted clear of her to win by a widening 1-1/4 lengths in 2:03.4.
Trainer-driver Curtis Clements shares ownership of four-time winner Cool Princess with Peter and Amy Clements.
To view Wednesday's complete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at the Western Fair District.