Thursday's feature at Western Fair Raceway, the $10,000 Preferred 2 Trot, involved two of the track's top reinsman. Except this time, it wasn't a 1-2 finish or a dead-heat
As favoured trotters Gonnabe An Ottlaw (Bruce Richardson) and Southwind Califon (Doug McNair) fronted the field through the opening panels of :30 and 1:01, outer flow was developing to take aim on the front end. Big Changes (Greg Dustin) and Pride (Trevor Henry) started the outer flow just past the quarter and stayed that way through the half-mile split.
As the field hit the backstretch for the final time, Henry tipped Pride three-wide and although the tempo quickened, Pride cleared to the lead by some three-plus length at the 1:31 three-quarter marker. A sensible final quarter of :30.2 was enough to seal the deal by two and a half lengths over a late closing Spirit Of Canada (Alan Morrison) and Gonnebe An Ottlaw.
Pride is an eight-year-old Iowa-bred son of Proud Crown-Katies Lady, co-owned by trainer Dan Creighton and driver Brad Forward. The duo purchased Pride over a year ago and in limited action this past season, the gelding was 2-7 with nearly $9,000 banked.
Earlier on the card, Lady Latte and driver Mike Sumner front-stepped their way to victory, marking the fifth straight win for the four-year-old roan daughter of No Pan Intended. Owned by Craig Turner and Mhairi Kersel of Ingersoll, Ont. and trained by William Hamm, Lady Latte has pocketed $16,750 =for her connections over the 2010 win streak.
For results, click here.