Round two of the Ontario Sired Autumn Series for two- and three-year-old colt and gelding pacers highlighted the Friday evening program at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and the three divisions that went postward produced pretty chalky winners.
Odds-on favourite Dubai Seelster went wire-to-wire in his $8,500 division for driver Marc St. Louis, Jr. and trainer Gregg McNair. The two-year-old son of Sportswriter-Doinsomethingright led the group through fractions of :28, :59 and 1:27.3 before stepping home in :29.4 to win by 4-3/4 lengths over Shifting Views in 1:57.2. Rounding out the top three finishers was Brydown Royal Art.
James Fraleigh of Dresden, ON owns the youngster who owns a 2-1-4 record from eight starts. He’s potted over $12,000 to date.
Smilingbillythekid also front-stepped his way to a winning effort for trainer/driver George Ketros. The two-year-old son of Betterthancheddar-Frown Upside Down battled with Last Mach through fractions of :29.4, :58.2 and 1:27.4 before plodding home in :31.1 to win by a half-length margin over Last Mach in 1:59. Longshot Twin B Powerball took home the show dough.
William Brown of Hanover, ON bred and owns the rookie who has manufactured a 3-2-2 record in his first eight starts. He’s banked more than $18,000 along the way.
Card Swap was the lone three-year-old to take down a division, and he did so in a time of 2:00 for trainer Meg Crone and driver Anthony Haughan.
Moonshine Willy supplied the field with fractions of :28.2, 1:00 and 1:30.1, but it was Card Swap who made a three-wide move after the leaders at the three-quarter pole. He went on to use a :29.3 final frame to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Moonshine Willy. Ajknight took home third prize.
The son of Classic Card Shark-Shes Determined, who is owned by Hutt Racing Stable of Malvern, PA, won for the first time in his career. After going 0-for-3 as a rookie, the pacer is now 1-for-11 this season. He’s racked up more than $14,000 along the way.
Friday’s card also featured a $5,500 RUS event which went to Enchanted Mission and rider Sarah Cuthbertson in 2:03.4.
Talbot Eh Plus supplied first-half fractions of :28.1 and :59.2 before Enchanted Mission marched to the lead and went on to hit the three-quarter pole in 1:31.2. A :32.2 closing quarter is all it took for Enchanted Mission to seal the deal by three lengths over Waikiki Hanover. Emotions Durables was third.
The six-year-old son of Manyofmanymissions is owned by Danny Murray and is trained by Jacob Murray.
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.