Goldstar Badlands was sitting in the cheap seats for most of the mile in Monday’s $9,000 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, but he turned on the jets late and swooped past rivals en route to posting a narrow triumph.
The seven-year-old son of Badlands Hanover-Rockin Lady got away seventh in the field of nine for driver Scott Young, and together they held that position for the first three-quarters of the contest. Mister X supplied the field with fractions of :27, :57 and 1:26.4, but he couldn’t go the distance – which evidently was 1-1/16 miles.
Goldstar Badlands was hustled three-wide to go after the leaders on the way to the three-quarter pole and he used his closing skills to prevail by a head over Cajon Thomas in 2:04.4. Race favourite Mister X was a bang-up third.
Heather Toll trains the pacer for Morley Bradshaw of Wilsonville, Ont. The victory was his ninth of the season and the 29th of his career. He’s banked close to $50,000 this season and more than $200,000 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.