It was a last-to-first sweep for Easton Beach in Monday’s main event – the $13,000 Preferred 2 Handicap for pacers - at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Trainer/driver George Ketros let Easton Beach get away sixth while even-money favourite Pedro Hanover powered to the lead and laid down fractions of :26.3, :56 and 1:26. Easton Beach started a first-over rally heading to the half, and he was hot on the heels of the leader while still racing first up at the three-quarter pole. Easton Beach used a :29.4 closing quarter to win by a head over Maximus Power in 1:56. Cyclone Joe rounded out the Trifecta ticket.
Mary Ketros of Arthur, ON owns the five-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere-Easton Alliance who won for the first time this season and for the 11th time in his career. The $6,500 payday bumped his overall earnings in excess of $80,000.
Down On My Luck was a gate-to-wire winner later on the card in the $10,000 Horses & Geldings Preferred 3 for pacers.
Brett MacDonald rolled the Patrick Shepherd pupil to the lead from Post 2 and together they led the group through panels of :28.1, :58 and 1:27.3 before kicking home in :29.2 to win by a half-length margin over G A Speed Sammy in 1:57. Mercenary, who was parked every step of the mile, finished a lapped-on third.
Sent off as the 6-5 favourite, the seven-year-old son of Camluck-False Alert picked up his 30th career victory while pushing his career earnings to $207,159 for owner Robert Woodburn of St. Thomas, ON.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.