Trevor Henry, the leading reinsman at The Raceway at Western Fair District and the nation’s top dash-winning pilot of 2013, swept Monday’s Preferred events at the London half-miler.
Fans that backed the Arthur, Ontario-based sulky sitter in the $10,000 Preferred 2 Trot were handsomely rewarded thanks to the 22-1 upset performance of Perfect Vacation.
Henry was nowhere to be found in the early stages of the mile while Natural Forces was hounded through panels of :28.1, :59.1 and 1:29.3. Henry pulled the trigger three-wide around the final with his charge, however, and the gelding responded by sweeping to the front and driving away en route to the victory in 2:01.1. Sonny Vale was next best, with Amigo Loco taking home the show dough in the eight-horse affair. Race favourite Tornado Tim, who was shooting for a fourth consecutive win, rolled off stride when kicking off cover going into the final turn and finished seventh.
Richard Moreau trains Perfect Vacation for owner Sean Hibbert of Corbyville, Ontario. The 10-year-old son of Dream Vacation-Perfect Aim notched his seventh win of the season and the 41st of his career. To date, he’s stashed away earnings of $449,009.
In the $6,500 Preferred 3 for trotters it was CIS Buckeye coming up huge for Henry, who guided the gelding to a six-length score in 2:01.
Henry marched the five-year-old son of Ilooklikemymom-LRs Peanut to the top from Post 3 and together they led the field through fractions of :29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30.4 before using a :30.1 closing quarter to seal the deal. Four Twenty Seven was the distant runner-up, with third prize going to Boots N Hearts.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, CIS Buckeye won for the 10th time this season and for the 24th time in his career. Keith Cullen trains the career winner of $120,900.
The Preferred sweep was completed with Smokin Bear, who used a last-to-first move to capture the $6,800 Preferred 3 for pacers.
The Wayne Preszcator pupil made a bold move in the backstretch and en route to posting the one-length triumph over Button Up in 1:57.2. East Meadow rounded out the top three finishers in the action-packed affair.
Preszcator shares ownership on the grey gelding with partner John Kodric of Toronto, Ontario. Together they've watched the four-year-old son of Grinfromeartoear-Smokin Pistol rack up 15 wins and purse earnings in excess of $117,000.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.