Canada's leading driver Bob McClure enjoyed a multiple-win night that included both of the evening's Preferred events on a wintry Wednesday, Feb. 15 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Odds-on favourite Stonebridge Quest secured the lead early on and held on late to win the $10,000 Preferred 2 top class for female pacers.
Leaving from post six in rein to McClure, Stonebridge Quest drove on as her inner rivals left out first and she took the lead just before the :27.4 opening quarter mark. The 6-5 favourite then took a second-quarter breather to the half in :58 while last week's winner, Ride Away Shark (Travis Henry), began to advance from the backfield. Ride Away Shark progressed up to second-place down the backstretch on the way to three-quarters in 1:27, but Stonebridge Quest shook off that challenger in the final turn then held off the pylon-skimming Solid Queen (Garrett Rooney) down the stretch for the victory in 1:57.4, paying $4.40 to win. Ride Away Shark settled for third.
The Camluck-Glacier Express mare, who is now two-for-four in her five-year-old campaign, is trained by Andrew McCabe and owned by breeder Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont., along with Glenview Livestock Ltd. of Wallenstein, Ont. Her 14th career win pushed her bankroll over the $200,000 mark.
As Bestulldotanite (Robert Shepherd) put away the Preferred 3 pacesetter, 4-5 favourite Choose My Jet (J Harris), at the 1:28.3 third quarter mark earlier in the night, McClure sent Top Royal three-wide off her cover to score a 1:59.1 victory in the co-feature. Heather Toll trains and co-owns the Royal Mattjesty-Top Of The World four-year-old with Brydown Farms Inc. of Clinton, Ont. Bestulldotanite finished one and a half lengths behind in second and 26-1 late-closer Cards That Count (Nick Steward) got up for third. The winner returned $8.20 as the 3-1 third wagering choice.
McClure ended the night with three victories, which put his seasonal win total at 72 and lifetime count over the 1,500 mark.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair.