It was upset city for the classy campaigner Button Up who pulled off a 30-1 shocker in Monday’s $15,000 Preferred Pace at The Raceway at the Western Fair District.
The nine-year-old son of Northern Luck-Better Butter turned a ground-saving trip into a 1:56 tally for the Horner brothers – trainer Mark and driver Mike – and the Sure Gain Stable of St. Mary’s, ON.
Button Up battled with the parked out Classic Call to the quarter pole in :28 before the latter muscled his way to the lead. Classic Call hooked up with Roman Rocks in the second quarter, and they tussled to the half in :57.2. They continued to spar to the three-quarter station in 1:26, but the battle took its toll on both of them.
Roman Rocks backed away and a few moments later Classic Call rolled into a break, and that left the door wide open for Mike Horner to shoot through and draw away to a three-length win with Button Up. The veteran halted the teletimer in 1:56. Bulldog Tenacity was third-placed-second, and Classic Call was second-placed-third for his lapped-on break at the wire.
It was the fourth win of the season and the 35th lifetime tally for Button Up, who pushed his seasonal earnings over $80,000 and his lifetime bankroll over $714,000.
Monday proved to be another stellar day at the office for the nation’s dash-leading driver in 2012, Trevor Henry, who manufactured a five-win performance over the London oval.
Henry kicked off the card by winning Race 1 with Mystic Union (2:01.1) and he added victories with J Js Tassie Girl (1:59.1), Connors Cam Bo (1:59.1), Ram Of The Night (1:58) and American Royal (2:00.4).
It’s been a personal record-setting season for the Arthur, ON horseman who sits with 455 wins and purse earnings in excess of $3 million. His former record for wins (435) in a single season was established in 2010, while his former record for purse earnings ($3,074,463) was set in 2007.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at the Western Fair District.