On a Wednesday night (March 18) when horseplayers across North America gave The Raceway at Western Fair District their highest ever single-card betting turnover, Power And Grace ($4.20) posted a decisive two and a half-length win in the evening's featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Trot.
Brett MacDonald put Power And Grace in play right as the gates folded in, and the five-year-old Holiday Road mare sprinted from post 4 to assume an easy lead on the first turn before yielding control to Absolut Seelster (Scott Young) at the completion of a brisk :28.2 first quarter. Power And Grace found herself pinned in by the first-over Seeyou Men (Alfie Carroll) through middle sectionals of :59.1 and 1:28.3, but found room to re-engage Absolut Seelster with three-sixteenths to go.
Midway on the final turn, MacDonald slid Power And Grace off the pegs, and the pair took aim on Absolut Seelster off the home corner. Power And Grace was urged to reclaim the lead just upon straightening for home, and she drew off to a 1:58.3 victory, her fastest of four wins to date this year. Absolut Seelster narrowly held second over the ground-saving Scene A Magician (Greg Dustin), who lifted belatedly once room availed in the stretch.
Ronald MacDonald trains 18-time winner Power And Grace for Lormer McClure.
In the sub-featured $9,400 Preferred 3 Trot over 1-1/16 miles, Sicario ($3.40) narrowly parried pocket foe Lets Leavem for a pillar-to-post 2:06.2 score. Alfie Carroll drove the five-year-old Holiday Road gelding for trainer Richard Moreau and owners Pamela and John Hehn.
The Raceway enjoyed their highest ever single-card wagering turnover, with $992,536 bet on the 11-race card. The previous single-card handle record at the London, Ont., racetrack was set on Dec. 31, 2019, when wagering totalled $795,590. The all-time high handle figure was buoyed by a pair of Pick-4 pools which attracted a combined $70,049.
To view Wednesday's compete results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - The Raceway at Western Fair District.