Trotter CIS Buckeye and pacer Just Crowned topped Monday's Preferred winners at Western Fair Raceway, both pulling off upsets in the co-featured events.
CIS Buckeye ($20.80) and Alfie Carroll pulled off a 9-1 surprise in the $8,000 Preferred 2 Trot for trainer Keith Cullen and owner James Morency. The five-year-old gelding advanced first over from fourth and wore down the pacesetter and eventual third-place finisher Rainbow Gold (Dennis Duford) to notch his ninth win of the year in a 1:59.1 over the 'good' surface. Pocket-sitter Amigo Loco (Trevor Henry) finished one and three-quarter lengths behind in second.
Just Crowned and J.R. Plante fought off a persistent Mariner Seelster (James MacDonald) to win the $8,400 Preferred 2 Pace by a neck in 1:56.3 for trainer/owner Tony Piroski. The 5-1 third choice in the field paid $13.40 to win for the sixth time this season. Kendal Gustav (Lorne House) finished over two lengths behind in third.
Driver Bruce Richardson celebrated his birthday a winner with a victory aboard favourite Stoney Durkin ($4.40) in the $5,000 Preferred 3 Pace. Owned by trainer Larry Fitzsimmons and partner William Durkin, Stoney Durkin went gate-to-wire in 1:58.3, prevailing by three-quarters of a length over 30-1 longshot That Horse J D and Ross Battin.
Battin won the other Preferred 3 Pace with his trainee Lawmen Reign ($4.40) in 1:57.2 while 10-year-old trotter Weskey ($5.20) romped to a 2:02.1 five and three-quarter length victory in another Preferred 3 event for Tyler and William Borth.
To view Monday's harness racing results, link on the following link: Monday Results - Western Fair Raceway.