Catch-driver J.R. Plante changed tactics with My Man Charley in Monday’s $15,000 Preferred Handicap for pacers at The Raceway at the Western Fair District, and the Victor Puddy trainee romped to a comfortable score
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Plante put the pedal to the metal with My Man Charley as soon as the starting gate sped away, and after chopping out splits of :28.3, :58.3 and 1:26.4 over a track rated “good” with a one-second allowance the four-year-old son of Mach Three-Break Of Day only needed a :30.3 closing panel to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Justalittleluck. Richmond Hanover tagged along to finish in a dead heat for third with a rallying Monster In Law.
Owned by the Wheels In Motion Stable, Jerome Voldock and Limco Inc, My Man Charley improved this year’s record to 1-0-1 in four tries while pushing his overall earnings to $117,730.
Mach It Big finished the month of January on a sour note when he finished sixth in the Preferred-2 class, but he stepped up his game on Monday and went home a winner in that same class for the tandem of driver J.R. Plante and trainer Richard Moreau. The four-year-old son of Mach Three-Belinda Hanover sat a two-hole trip behind Victory Creed, who put up a :27.2 opening panel before giving way to Our Lucky Killean at the half in :58.1. Our Lucky Killean was still in charge at the three-quarter pole in 1:26.2, but Mach It Big was on the first-over march. Mach It Big took over before the top of the stretch and wound up winning by a length over Victory Creed in 1:56.2. Our Lucky Killean faded late and settled for third.
Keith and Deborah Cassell of Smiths Falls, ON own the pacer who won for the third time in four starts this season. The eight-time winner bumped his lifetime cash stash to $141,360 with the winning effort.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at the Western Fair District.