Santana Sass ($2.70) was the lone favourite to convert in four $5,000 second-round divisions of the Alliance Claiming Series contested on Tuesday night (Dec. 19) at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and his 1:58.2 mile was the fastest among 27 $7,000 claiming pacers to take to the London track.
The five-year-old Santanna Blue Chip gelding controlled the terms throughout the evening’s seventh event en route to a third straight win, leading Putnams New Year (Alfie Carroll) through splits of :28.3, :59, and 1:27.4 before edging clear on the final turn. Santana Sass, claimed for $7,000 out of the race by Elizabeth Fair, took his curtain call for owner Michelle Bohrer and trainer Vincent Langdon by 3-1/4 lengths over Putnams New Year. J Harris handled the driving duties.
After Its Machademic ($11.90, 2:02) and Tyler Moore kicked off series action, Scott Coulter teamed up with Who Dey ($12.80, 2:00.3) and Fightyourobsession ($8.20, 2:00.2) to capture two of the other Alliance Series splits.
In the $8,500 Preferred 3 trotting feature, Star Photo ($5.80) patiently stalked Happy Holidays (Anthony MacDonald) from a clear pocket, angled off the pegs in upper stretch, and narrowly duelled down the favoured pacesetter for a 2:01 triumph.
Star Photo (foreground) collars Happy Holidays in the Preferred 3 trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District
Alfie Carroll drove the eight-year-old Classic Photo gelding, now a 36-time winner, for trainer Vic Puddy and owners Keith Cassell and Limco, Inc.
To view Tuesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.