Zip Car and Keystone Orion got plenty of pari-mutuel support in their respective Preferred assignments Tuesday evening at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, and both performers managed to take home the lion’s share of the purse.
Zip Car took over the lead in the backstretch of the $7,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 before drawing away by 3-3/4 lengths over Twilight Seelster in 1:57.1. Robert Shepherd engineered the winning trip for the four-year-old daughter of Royal Mattjesty-Winbak Celebration. Twilight Seelster, who was sent off as the post time favourite, had to settle for the runner-up award. Insincerity was third.
Sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the wagering, Zip Car nabbed her eighth win of the campaign for trainer/co-owner Heather Toll and partner Mark Beaven of Dungannon, Ontario. The nine-time winner pushed her lifetime earnings to $76,613 with the win.
Keystone Orion finished second in the $7,000 Preferred 3 for trotters, but was later placed first as a result of a pylon violation committed by the original winner, A Nashty Business. That foe set fractions of :28.4, :59 and 1:28.1 before using a :31-second closing quarter to win by half a length over Keystone Orion. The pylon violation forced A Nashty Business to settle for the runner-up position, with Chewey taking home the show dough.
Sent off as the 6-5 choice in the trotting tilt, Keystone Orion posted his fifth win of the year – and his 14th to date – for owners Albina Montini of Acton and Mac Nichol of Burlington, Ontario. The career winner of $312,938, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Anthony Montini, was driven to victory by Nick Steward.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Western Fair Raceway.