Fresh off a front-stepping score in the Preferred 3 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, Leafs And Wings used his come-from-behind skills to notch an impressive tally in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 & 3 at the London half-miler.
Sent off at odds of 6-1 in the eight-horse affair, Leafs And Wings got away seventh for driver Scott Wray while Smokin Bear shot to the front and supplied the field with fractions of :28, :57 and 1:27.1. Leafs And Wings was third-over and covered up through the middle stages of the mile, but his :30.1 closing panel propelled him to the top and he drew clear to win by 1-1/4 lengths over race favourite Smokin Bear in 1:58.1. Thats The Life finished third.
Mike Rogers trains the seven-year-old son of Rambaran-Rockton Road for owner/breeder Gregory Rogers of Auburn Hills, Michigan. It was the second win of the season and the 25th lifetime tally for the career winner of $283,766.
Monday’s card also featured a set of $7,000 Preferred 3 events, with My Man Charley and Winzel taking home weekly bragging rights in their respective assignments.
Alfie Carroll manufactured the winning trip My Man Charley in his tilt, and in doing so the pacer cracked the goose egg that had been residing in his 2014 win column. After going 0-for-3 to start the year, the six-year-old son of Mach Three-Break Of Day survived a first-over trip to win today’s effort by 2-1/2 lengths over Stoney Durkin in 1:57.4. Judge Jon took home the show dough.
The 19-time winner, who hangs his harness bag in the barn of trainer Victor Puddy, is owned by Susan Strongman, Jerome Voldock and Limco Inc. His share of the loot lifted his lifetime earnings to $274,040.
Winzel demolished the trotting foes he faced in his $7,000 test. Nick Steward sat third with the Todd Kennedy trainee for the first half of the mile before brushing to the lead in the third quarter. The gelding eventually drew clear to win by 7-1/2 lengths in a time of 2:00.3. Sonny Vale was next best, with Elmo Rockbottom taking home third prize.
It was the first win of the year for the nine-year-old son of Royal Strength-Worthy Outlaw, who is now a 34-time winner to date. Janet Fairall, Britt Kennedy and Nancy & Jack Holmes share ownership on the career winner of $217,007.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.