After odds-on favourite Thee Desperado broke stride on the first turn, the door was open for Star Photo ($47.40) to maintain an uncovered ascent for five-eighths of a mile en route to a 22-1 upset in Wednesday evening’s (March 28) featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Not only did the favourite’s early miscue bode well for the stretch-trotting nine-year-old Classic Photo gelding, but so did hot early fractions of :27.4 and :58.1 carved out by Avuncular (Doug McNair). As the tempo slowed late in the first circuit, Alfie Carroll angled Star Photo first-over with seven lengths to make up.
Star Photo, who earned minor placings in seven of 10 seasonal starts leading up to his first 2018 triumph, gradually gained on the top flight through the second circuit and worked into third as Overcomebyvictory (Robert Shepherd) pulled the pocket with three-eighths to go and took charge at once. Despite only posting a :29.3 third quarter, the torturous early tempo did Overcomebyvictory in as well, as he was fully extended off the home turn. Star Photo found his best in the final sixteenth and just collared Overcomebyvictory in 1:59.4. Allies Gift (Brett MacDonald) was a traffic-compromised third, while last week’s 33-1 winner Many A Man (Scott Coulter) overcame a sluggish start to save fourth.
Vic Puddy trains Star Photo, now a 37-time winner, for Keith Cassell and Limco Inc.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.