Driver Gord Brown swept both $7,500 opening leg divisions of the Born To Trot Series as part of a driving grand slam Saturday night at Kawartha Downs while serious injuries were avoided in a racing incident later on the card
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Driven by Brown, the popular R Raised Emotions romped to a 2:00.1 six and a half length victory in the first Born To Trot division for non-winners of one race as of Feb. 24. Jayport Spiker (James MacDonald) and Acruity (Willis Jones) followed for second and third. The three-year-old Kadabra-World Class Image homebred has won two (consecutive) times in four outings for trainer Per Henriksen and owners Thomas and Elizabeth Rankin of St. Catharines, Ont.
Favourite Betweentwopillows also front-stepped her way to a 1:59.3 two and three-quarter length score in the other division with Brown aboard for trainer-owner John MacMillan of Spencerville, Ont. The three-year-old Credit Winner-Lavern Lavec filly bested Northern Triumph (Stephen Byron) and Tymal Sonata (Jonathan Drury) for the win, her second (consecutive) from five starts.
The Born To Trot Series will continue on Saturday, March 17 and wrap up with a $20,000 (added) final on Saturday, March 24.
Brown also scored dominant wins with three-year-old pacing filly Eyemajet for Richard Fife and five-year-old trotter Ripken for Nick Fife.
Three horses and drivers were involved in a minor incident in the sixth race, but escaped serious injuries.
Lyons Corey, driven by Mike MacNeill, got rough-gaited in the pocket hooking up with the first over Razor Sharp and Jonathan Drury and causing interference to Soyer and driver John Thomson in behind. The three horses appeared to stay on their feet. Thomson slid off the side of the bike, but held onto his horse. The rest of the field was able to move around and avoid the incident.
Reports from Kawartha indicate that Thomson was shaken up and sore following the incident, but was otherwise okay. Drury and MacNeill were scheduled to drive later on the card and did complete their drives.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.