Just six square-gaiters faced the starting gate in Friday’s first round of the Autumn Series for two- and three-year-old trotting colts and geldings at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with Franks Angel taking home top prize in the $8,500 event.
Franks Angel, sent off at odds of 5-2, grabbed the early lead for driver Jason Ryan. Together, they carved out an opening quarter clocked in :30 before Pot Stock rolled to the lead and took the field to the mid-way point in :59.3.
It was a short-lived lead, however, as Franks Angel sprinted back to the outside and then to the lead as the field headed by the three-quarter pole in 1:30.1. The gelding then kicked home in :30.4 to win by 2-3/4 lengths over LMC Hope in 2:01. Taking home the show dough was Pot Stock.
Dagfin Henriksen trains the son of Archangel-First To The Front for owner Dr. Michael Venneri of St. Catharines, Ont. It was the second win from just 11 trips to the track so far this season for the homebred.
Trainer Danielle St. Louis was nowhere to be found during the first-half of Friday’s card, but she went on a winning spree in the back half of Friday’s card.
St. Louis watched Robintheatm go wire-to-wire in Race 6 followed by a victory with Ideal Toy (Race 7 – 2:01.1). Phoos Girl captured Race 9 in 1:58 to complete the three-win performance.
St. Louis has more than doubled last year’s win output (115 wins to 47 wins) and the same goes for her earnings ($450,971 this season compared to $211,375 in 2018).
To view results for Friday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Friday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.