Nothingbutmach toted a two-race winning streak into Monday’s featured $11,000 Preferred 2 for pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and the former claimer dug in late to extend the winning streak to three in a row for trainer Corey Johnson.
With Paul MacKenzie at the controls, Nothingbutmach got away in the two-hole after starting from the second tier and he maintained the pocket spot through first-half fractions of :28.3 and :58.2. He engaged pacesetter Smokin Bear in battle at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3 before using a :28.4 closing panel to win by a head over the hard-driving Stompin Tom Creek in 1:56.3. Lawmen Reign completed the Triactor ticket in the eight-horse affair.
Debbie Element of Waterdown, Ontario, who claimed the horse for $8,000 on January 10, has watched the eight-year-old son of Mach Three-Nothing Special assemble a 4-1-0 record from his first six starts since the acquisition. The 12-time winner has stashed away close to $125,000.
The card also included a trio of $7,000 Preferred 2 events, with two for pacers and one for trotters.
Twin B Wrangler wired up the hoppled foes he faced in 1:55.1 for the tandem of driver J Harris and trainer Victor Puddy. The gelding whacked out splits of :27, :56 and 1:24.4 before coasting home in :30.2 to produce the three-length win. Race favourite Calgary Seelster, who finished the mile with broken equipment, was next best while third prize was earned by Bulldog Tenacity.
Keith Cassell of Smiths Falls, Ontario holds the ownership papers on the five-year-old son of Mach Three-Stryper. It was his first of the season – and the eighth to date – for the career winner of $108,410.
The Ladies Man took the other tilt for the pacers, and just like Twin B Wrangler did he celebrated his first win of the season. Alfie Carroll had the Jim Ritchie trainee on the lead through fractions of :27.4, :57.3 and 1:26.4 before punching home in :29.3 to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:56.2. Stoney Durkin sat a pocket trip throughout to finish second, while Hoboken Hanover rallied from next-to-last to be third.
The eight-year-old son of Modern Art-The Lady Is Lucky prevailed as the 4/5 favourite for the Ritchie brothers – Jim and Paul – and partner Murray Cox. The 23-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings to $363,665 with the win.
Winzel was a wire-to-wire victor in the $7,000 Preferred 2 for trotters. Nick Steward hustled the Todd Kennedy pupil through intervals of :30, 1:00.3 and 1:30 before slipping home in :30.3 to win by a length in 2:00.3. The garden spot-sitting Jamigo was the bridesmaid, while race favourite CIS Buckeye had to settle for the show dough.
Janet Fairall, Britt Kennedy and the Holmes – Jack and Nancy – share ownership on the nine-year-old son of Royal Strength-Worthy Outlaw. It was the second win of the season – and the 36th lifetime tally – for the classy campaigner. He’s managed to stash away more than $225,000 in his career.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.