Laser and Lauras Crush romped in their respective $7,600 optional-claiming features at The Raceway at the Western Fair District on Wednesday, Feb. 11 over a track rated good and one second off.
Laser homed in on the front from post two and crossed swords with Axel Bovino (Austin Sorrie) through a quarter of :29.4 before that rival retreated into the pocket. Laser dropped the tempo to the half in 1:00.3, but Brady Galliers was forced to put him back in gear as Just Ask Joe (Tyler Borth) ranged up first-over on the third turn. As the attacker gave way nearing three-quarters in 1:30.3, favourite Arthur Idlam (Paul MacKenzie) went around him and presented a new challenge to the pacesetter. But Laser drew clear of him and Axel Bovino in the stretch to win by 3-1/4 lengths in 1:59.4. Arthur Idlam finished second over Axel Bovino.
Laser has won back-to-back starts at London and is now five-for-34 lifetime with $27,428 in earnings. Cassidy Schneider trains the five-year-old intact son of Lather Up-Good Things Happen for Colonel Schneider of Arthur, Ont. The winner returned $6.40.
Lauras Crush blew her rivals away in the featured finale for fillies and mares. The Natalie Elliott trainee was fourth as the wings folded, but Damian MacLellan commanded speed and had her on the engine as they straightened for the backstretch the first time. Lauras Crush banged out fractions of :29.3, :59.1 and 1:29.1, extending her advantage all the way, and the mare sailed home an eight-length winner in 2:00.1. Howmac Hotty (Brett MacDonald) was a game second after a long uncovered journey. Lookmomicanfly (Tyler Borth) finished third.
The winning four-year-old daughter of Sportswriter-Haute Couture has registered three wins in her last four outings. Lauras Crush has earned $47,452 and won nine times in 38 lifetime starts for owner Allan Shelton of Goderich, Ont. She paid $4.80 to win.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)