It was a Preferred parade at Western Fair Raceway on Monday, with no fewer than five of those events offered as part of its 12-race program
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Chinnys Wings reigned supreme in the $16,000 Preferred Trot for trainer/driver Doug Bowins, who co-owns the photogenic gelding with Donald Brinkman of East Coulee, AB. The four-year-old son of Armbro Ricochet took over the lead in the third quarter and drew off to win by a one-length margin over Upsidedown in a time of 1:57.3. Third prize went to Indiana Hall. The victory was the 17th of the season for Chinnys Wings, who has banked more than $103,000 in his first year of racing.
There was a three-horse photo finish in the $16,000 Preferred Pace, and when the Judges passed down the verdict it was All The Weapons who came out on top. The seven-year-old son of Towners Big Guy rallied first-over and fended off challengers to win by a neck in a time of 1:56.4 for trainer/driver Kenny Oliver. Button Up was second best and third prize went to Twilight Baron. It was the first victory for the pacer since his controversial score in this year’s Gold Cup & Saucer in PEI. Shirley and Kerry House of St. Jacobs, ON hold the papers on the career winner of $245,009.
The $13,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred was taken by Sammy Syd and driver Mike Whelan, who went gate-to-wire in a time of 1:56.2 for owners Jean and Gord Young of London, ON. The Jean Young-trained five-year-old daughter of Astreos defeated Seaswift Princess and Gabrielles Girl to improve her 2009 record to 8-2-3 in 30 starts. The lion’s share of the purse bumped the distaffer’s bankroll to $154,872.
A pair of $11,500 Preferred-2 events were also offered on Monday, with Theshowisfree going gate-to-wire in a time of 1:59.1 for driver Gene Piroski in the trotting tilt while Chevron Hanover and Stuart Sowerby grabbed the top spot in the pacing affair thanks to a 1:55.4 score.
To view Monday’s harness racing results, click here.