J J Powerball and Validus Deo took home bragging rights in Monday’s $9,400 Horse & Gelding Preferred 3 events at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and both geldings were forced to overcome first-over trips to prevail.
J J Powerball got away fifth for trainer/driver Austin Sorrie while race favourite Rose Run Quest headed to the lead and sliced out fractions of :29.3, 1:00.2 and 1:29.4. J J Powerball came first-over at the mid-way point, and he used a :29.2 final frame to secure the win by three-quarters of a length over White Hair Rocks in 1:59.2. Jack Of Clubs was third.
Sent off at odds of 3-2, the five-year-old son of Image Of Dawn-NY Lotto prevailed for Sorrie and partner Tammy Collings. The win was the second of the season – and the 15th to date – for the career winner of $77,273.
Validus Deo got away fourth from his second tier position for driver Marc St. Louis, Jr. while race favourite Fashiononthebeach powered to the top and carved out fractions of :27.2 and :57. Validus Deo came first-over on the way to the half, and he grabbed the lead while racing parked past the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4. He stepped home in :30 to win by 6-1/2 lengths over Jake Loewen. Brave World was third.
Danielle St. Louis trains the 10-year-old son of Lis Mara-Madam Countess for partners Stewart McQueen and Meghan Riley. Sent off as the 8-5 second choice in the wagering, Validus Deo improved his 2020 record to 10-4-6 from 28 assignments. The 50-time winner has banked just shy of $640,000 in his career.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.