Following a dominant win at Flamboro Downs last week, Vesuvio Bi ($3.80) parlayed a pocket trip into narrow victory in Wednesday evening's (March 13) featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
The five-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding stalked Absolut Seelster (Scott Young) — who was also sent off odds-on — through comfortable early fractions of :30.1 and 1:00.4, but was boxed with three-eighths to go when Mighty Nicky (Alfie Carroll) commenced a first-over rally on the third turn. After being forced to track a :30.1 third-quarter duel, Travis Henry found room to mount a two-wide rally with Vesuvio Bi at the eighth pole after Mighty Nicky faded off the home turn. Vesuvio Bi collared Absolut Seelster in the final yards of a 2:00.2 mile to win by a neck while driven out. Mighty Nicky, who narrowly held third over Lets Leavem (Scott Coulter) despite fading through the home straight, was another 5-1/2 lengths in arrears.
Martin Lachance trains 14-time winner Vesuvio Bi for the Lachance Racing Stable and Dan Mogridge.
In the sub-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot, Veyron ($3.20) proved a pillar-to-post winner, keeping Nebraska Jack 2-1/4 lengths at bay in 2:02. J Harris drove the six-year-old Muscles Yankee gelding for trainer Shane Arsenault, who co-owns with Brian Sheppard, Giuseppe Mascia and Guy Beaulieu.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.