A set of Preferred events – one for pacers and the other for trotters – went postward during Tuesday’s 10-race card at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and in both instances the favourites were denied trips to victory lane.
Willyorwonthe pulled off a very minor upset in the $9,000 Preferred 3 for trotters with driver Bob McClure at the controls. The gelding rushed to grab the lead from Post 5, and he was still in charge of the tempo at the quarter pole in :28.3. Race favourite Happy Holidays sped to the top shortly after the opening marker was reached, and he proceeded to roll the field to the mid-way point in :58.4.
McClure had Willyorwonthe back out and driving in the 1-1/16 mile affair as the field entered the backstretch, and together they worked to the lead at the three-quarter station in 1:30. The son of Angus Hall-Mikestory cruised to the win by 2-1/2 lengths over Eagle Scout in 2:07. P C Cantore was third.
Bill Megens of Puslinch, Ont. bred, owns and trains the trotter who won for the eighth time this season and for the 13th time in his career. He pushed this year’s bankroll over $50,000 with the win, and his lifetime total climbed just shy of $130,000.
Katies Beach was a come-from-behind winner in the $8,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3 for pacers. Again, it was Bob McClure barking out orders from the racebike. He got away fourth with the mare, who then got backed up to seventh as the field passed by the half.
She was fifth and on the move with cover as the field travelled past the three-quarter pole, and she later used a :29-second closing quarter to win by a length over Regal Luck in 1:56.3. Howmacfiesty rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Rene Laarman trains the five-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere-KG Katriona for partners Warren Casely, Richard Pointon and Eric Sellors. The victory was her fourth of the 2017 campaign and the seventh of her career. The lion’s share of the loot lifted her lifetime earnings just shy of $150,000.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.