Leamington Raceway's first annual 'Harness the Hope' pace on Sunday afternoon was won appropriately enough by recent purchase Alexas Hope in 2:01.2.
The three-year-old Cams Card Shark-Vain In Spain filly is owned by trainer Gord McDonnell, along with Vince Orlando and Nicole Tuffin of Leamington, Ont. Sitting in the garden seat to the three-quarters, driver Scott (Rocky) Wray tipped Alexas Hope out to down pacesetter Queens Highway (Ed Hennessey), who finished third. Blissfullannmarie (Robert Sparling Jr.) was the runner-up.
The Harness the Hope program provided support to benefit the Breast Cancer Society of Canada. Pink apparel was the order of the day and items were sold, including hats, t-shirts and more.
The "Bruiser" had another big day winning with heavy favourite Coffee Black ($3.80) for trainer Keith Cullen and owner James Morency of Windsor, Ont., and also the bicycle race where he crossed the wire on his head. The bicycle, which was part of an eight-bike kids' giveaway, was not damaged.
Dan Johnson, who splits his time between driving and shingling, won three races on the day starting in the first with Twin B Excalibur in 2:01.2. The 11-year-old son of Earl-Senorita Sierra is owned by Phillip Katcher of Dewitt, Michigan and trainer Randy Fulmer. Johnson's other wins came aboard Scott De Mulls' Halfa Century (Cams Card Shark-Bitofblarney) in 2:01.4 and Mack Baron (Rambaran-Scooter Nukes) in 1:59.4.
The afternoon gave witness to an up and coming track announcer, Nathan Bain, who thrilled the crowd with his exciting action-packed call. The grandson of Lakeshore mayor Tom Bain laid down the gauntlet to all race callers in the province to be looking over their shoulders. Nathan Bain is 12 years old and is in grade seven at Lakeshore Discovery School.
Next week is the last week of the current meet and there will be a giveaway of a 50" Toshiba flat screen TV from Ernie's TV in Kingsville. Post time is 1:30 p.m.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Leamington Raceway.
(With files from Leamington Raceway)