The trip was sweet and the finish was even sweeter for Allamerican Motive, who kicked off cover to take home top prize in the $15,000 Preferred Pace at Western Fair Raceway on Monday
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Over a track rated ‘sloppy’ with a two-second allowance, Allamerican Motive slid into an early five-hole for driver Chris Johnston, who watched Acceptable Risk power to the lead and throw down an opening quarter clocking in :27.4. That leader was under the gun in the second quarter as a result of steady pressure from Part Shark, who was on the accelerator after making an early miscue.
Those two were locked in stride at the mid-way point in :58.1, with Cam East enjoying a two-hole trip and Allamerican Motive advancing on cover from second-over. Acceptable Risk was still on the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1, but Part Shark was still being a pest while racing on the leader’s flank. Allamerican Motive and driver Johnston were commencing a three-wide rally and looming large heading into the final two-furlongs of the eight-furling affair.
Allamerican Motive’s :29.1 closing speed earned him the one-length decision over a late-closing Justalittleluck in 1:57.1, with race favourite Acceptable Risk fading late to finish third.
Trainer Jerry Sims of Denfield co-owns the five-year-old son of Four Starzzz Shark-Moonshaker with Dr. Paul Gatfield of London, ON. Together they’ve watched the gelding put together an 8-for-28 season while pushing his lifetime earnings to $152,649.
First Rate Shark, who finished last against Preferred foes on November 21, dropped to the Preferred-2 class on Monday and capitalized on the class relief. Paul MacKenzie hustled the six-year-old son of Cams Card Shark-Lady Ashlee Lyn to immediate command and the ridgling successfully sliced out splits of :27.3, :56.4 and 1:25.4 en route to notching the win by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1. Stonehouse Adam was second, with Willies Place rounding out the top three in the eight-horse affair.
Trainer David O’Brien of Dorchester co-owns the 11-time winner with Anne O’Keefe of Ferryland, NL. The victory was the third of the season for the pacer, who now boasts a bankroll in excess of $215,000.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Western Fair Raceway.