The last time Indiana Hall and Pacific Oak faced the starting gate at Western Fair Raceway they found their way to victory lane, and it was more of the same on Monday’s thanks to their respective score in the half-mile oval’s main events
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Indiana Hall, who has finished first or second in each of his last six starts, kept that streak alive thanks to a gate-to-wire triumph in 1:59.2 in the $14,800 Preferred Trot. Robert Shepherd rolled the eight-year-old son of Striking Sahbra through splits of :29.1, 1:00.3 and 1:29.3 before using a :29.4 final frame with the gelding en route to posting the 1-1/2 length decision over Perfect Vacation. Upsidedown, who did the first over work, held on to finish third.
Ian Downey trains the productive square gaiter for S S G Stables of North Boston, NY. The victory improved the trotter’s 2011 record to 2-2-0 in four tries, and it lifted his lifetime earnings to $608,576.
Pacific Oak exploded off cover at the three-quarter pole and drew off to a convincing victory in the $14,800 Preferred Pace for driver Paul MacKenzie and trainer Kenny Oliver. The eight-year-old son of Pacific Rocket watched Rave On chop out early fractions of :28.3, :58.2 and 1:26.4 before taking charge thanks to a :29.1 closing panel. Pacific Oak stopped the clock in 1:56.4, defeating race favourite Bob Watts and Rave On in the process.
Shirley and Kerry House of St. Jacobs, ON hold the ownership papers on the gelding, who has finished first or second in each of his last five assignments. The veteran is now a 37-time winner with purse earnings in excess of $339,000.
To view Monday’s results, click here.