Ride Away Shark toted a lengthy losing streak into Tuesday’s $7,500 Preferred 3 for filly and mare pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, but the change of scenery to the half-mile oval proved to be a difference maker.
Travis Henry had Ride Away Shark on the move early after getting away in good order from a second tier starting spot. Parked and pressing at the quarter pole in :28.4, Ride Away Shark went on to clear to the lead before throwing down middle splits of :58 and 1:27.2. A :30.1 kicker helped her draw away by 4-1/2 lengths in 1:57.3. Solid Queen was next under the line, with Insincerity taking home the show dough.
Scott McNiven trains the four-year-old daughter of Classic Card Shark-Freedom Away, who last visited victory lane earlier this summer on July 29. That night she earned her lifetime speed badge of 1:50.1 at Mohawk Racetrack.
Kim McNiven of Putnam and Tom Brodhurst of London, Ont. own the nine-time winner who lifted her lifetime earnings to $188,270 with the victory.
Tuesday’s card also featured the first round of the Alliance Series for filly and mare pacers. The event for conditioned claimers featured a trio of $5,400 divisions.
Tipsy Mcstaggers drew first blood thanks to a come-from-behind score in 2:02.1 for driver Garrett Rooney. The distaffer made a bold, three-wide move going to the three-quarter pole and then used a :31.1 final quarter to prevail by a head over Trishas Wish in 2:02.1. Outasight Hanover was third.
The four-year-old daughter of Badlands Hanover-Am Blissfull is a four-time winner this season and a five-time winner to date for owner/breeder/trainer Randy Fulmer of Windsor, Ont. She’s closing in on $25,000 in lifetime earnings.
Watt Machs Me Win used similar tactics to capture her division for the tandem of driver Bob McClure and trainer Jim Watt. The homebred got into the flow on the way to the half, and she powered up after the leaders on the way to the three-quarter pole. A :30.1 closing panel earned her the win by a neck over race favourite Sweetshadyshark in a career-best clocking of 1:59.1. Majormotionpicture was third.
Sent off at odds of 5-1, the three-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Feisty Form nabbed her first win of the season from 23 attempts for owner/breeder Morag Watt of Clinton, Ont. The sophomore has banked $31,414 to date.
Sportsillustrator used her closing skills to take home top honours in the final division for driver Bob McClure and trainer Craig Gilmour. The four-year-old daughter of Sportswriter-Matt N Mouse rode cover in the middle stages of the mile before tipping out and driving three-wide on the way to the three-quarter pole. Her :29-second closing quarter propelled her to the win by 6-1/2 lengths over O See My Artist in 2:00.1. Diduseethat was third.
The 1-5 favourite, who went 1-for-17 last year, is now 4-for-33 this season. Ronald Nobes of Fergus and Shawn Brisebois of Grimsby, Ont. own the career winner of $31,643.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.