Fans of Goldstar Badlands have had the change to fill their pockets with winnings in recent weeks at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and it was more of the same on Monday evening.
Goldstar Badlands used his grinding style to take home a narrow triumph in the $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap for horse and gelding pacers.
Scott Young got away fifth with Goldstar Badlands while Mach On The Beach shot to the lead and rolled the field through fractions of :27.4, :57.2 and 1:27.2. Goldstar Badlands started a first-over rally going to the half, and he was third and rolling at the three-quarter pole. Goldstar Badlands dug in and produced a :28.1 closing quarter en route to winning by a half-length margin over Mach On The Beach in 1:56. Race favourite Rockin Wizard was third.
Sent off at odds of 6-1, the Heather Toll-trained seven-year-old son of Badlands Hanover-Rockin Lady improved his 2017 record to 6-0-0 from 10 trips to the track. Morley Bradshaw of Wilsonville, Ont. owns the 26-time winner who lifted his lifetime earnings to $187,426 with the victory.
BS Tyrrific was a popular winner in the $7,500 Preferred 3 pace for horses and geldings. Bob McClure mapped out the winning trip for the Mike Weller pupil.
McClure put his charge on the lead, and together they led the field through first-half fractions of :28.1 and :58.3. They Call Me Gordy pressed hard for the lead in the third quarter, and he showed a short lead while racing on the outside at the three-quarter pole in 1:27.1. BS Tyrrific battled back, however, and his :29.2 closing panel earned him the head decision over They Call Me Gordy in 1:56.3. Shippen Out rallied from far back to finish third.
Sent off as the 1-2 favourite, BS Tyrrific now boasts a 2-2-0 record from eight starts this season for owners Susan Woodyatt and Lexington Harness Group. The 10-time winner has banked more than $118,000 to date.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.