Connected Yankee, Button Up and Sammy Syd have each won in the Preferred ranks at Western Fair Raceway in recent weeks, and it was more of the same
on Monday.
Connected Yankee was sent off as the 4-5 favourite in Monday’s co-featured Preferred Trot, and the eight-year-old son of Yankee Paco didn’t let down his backers. The gelding drove to the front for Paul MacKenzie and laid down fractions of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:29.1 before coasting home in a :31-second clip to stop the clock in 2:00.1. It was more than four lengths back to runner-up Bertorico, with Dash Car rounding out the top three finishers.
Joe Pereira conditions the chestnut campaigner for owner William Hood of Windsor, ON. It was the trotter’s third victory of the season in nine trips postward, and his share of the $13,500 purse boosted his lifetime earnings to $282,231.
For the second consecutive week, Button Up front-stepped his way to a victory in the co-featured $13,500 Preferred Pace for the Horner brothers – trainer Mark and driver Mike. The seven-year-old son of Northern Luck whacked out splits of :28, :58.2 and 1:28 before sprinting home in a :29-second clip for the 1:57 decision. Runner-up Donegal Gerald was two lengths behind the 7-5 favourite, and Oakley Seelster grabbed the show dough.
Sure Gain Stable of Mitchell, ON owns the 23-time winner, who has put together an impressive resume this season. From just 11 starts postward the pacer has assembled a 3-6-0 record. He has banked in excess of $550,000 to date.
Sammy Syd overcame the dreaded seven hole in Monday’s $11,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace for Mike Whelan, who had to be very impressed with the mare’s late kick. In fact it was so good, she swept past rivals in the stretch en route to winning in 1:58.1 for trainer Jean Young. The six-year-old daughter of Astreos stormed home in :28.2 to win by a little more than a length over runner-up Desir and third-place finisher Tennessee Starlit.
Jean and Gord Young of London, ON own the distaffer, who was making just her third start of the season after enjoying winter hibernation. She has looked solid since returning, as noted in this season’s 2-1-0 record. The 20-time winner has stashed away more than $188,000 in lifetime earnings.
To view Monday’s results, click here.