Darryl Laver trainee Santanna Tony posted the quickest victory of the four second-preliminary divisions of the Wilson’s Tack Claiming Series contested at The Raceway at Western Fair District on Wednesday (March 30).
Landing in the pocket, the nine-year-old Santanna Blue Chip gelding stalked a :29.1 first quarter set by Hercule J M before Eataams Sportsbaby blitzed first over to clear command past a 1:01.1 half. Driver Travis Cullen soon angled Santanna Tony out of third to attack in the backstretch but stalled in the sprint to three-quarters, clicked in 1:29.3. Though Eataams Sportsbaby grew leg weary off the bend and Santanna Tony had enough in reserve to power through to a three-quarter-length victory over fast-closing Deputy Seelster in 2:01. Rough Trade finished third and Eataams Sportsbaby faded to fourth.
Owned by Leanne Davidson, Santanna Tony won his third race from 11 starts this season and his 22nd from 189 overall, lifting his career earnings to $140,306. He paid $8.10 to win.
Barrys Shelby shot from second over to score a 2:01.1 victory in the first division of the Wilson’s Tack Claiming Series. Driver Colin Kelly sat third with the 10-year-old Mach Three gelding by a :28.4 first quarter and caught cover from Dinner At The Met to a :59.3 half. With Dinner At The Met matching strides alongside pacesetter General Lee, Kelly kicked Barrys Shelby three high by three-quarters in 1:30 and slid to the helm around the turn. The Lindsey Kerr pupil coasted to the finish, winning by 1-1/4 lengths over Tomitta Bayama rallying for second. Rockin Novel rode the pocket for third and Dinner At The Met settled for fourth.
Owned by Ryan Clements and Ashley Kerr, Barrys Shelby won his second race from eight starts this season and his 28th from 256 overall, lifting his career earnings to $231,289. He paid $5.90 to win.
Oldfriendskentucky went coast to coast in the second division, stopping the clock in 2:01.4. The Richard Moreau trainee commandeered the field with Jason Ryan at the reins out of post 4 and set a clip of :29.1, :59.2 and 1:29.3 under minimal pressure. Off the final turn, Debs New Man cruised into contention off cover but only managed to grab second, beaten 1-1/4 lengths. Mack The Knife closed for third and pocket-sitter Hello You finished fourth.
A 13-year-old gelding by Whosurboy, Oldfriendskentucky races for owners Stephen and Laura Roberts. He won his first race from 11 starts this season and his 37th from 398 overall, lifting his earnings to $207,738. He paid $13.30 to win.
Shootinforthestars also posted a front-stepping victory, stopping the clock in 2:01.2. Driver Travis Cullen cleared control from post 7 with the 11-year-old Sand Shooter gelding and kept his competition at bay through fractions of :29.3, :59.3 and 1:29.3 to cross the beam 1-3/4-lengths better than pocket-sitter Stonebridge Scout. Catch My Contrail rode the pylons for third and Seymour Little rallied from last for fourth.
Trained by Tyler Nostadt for owner Blueshoe Investments, Shootinforthestars won his third race from nine starts this season and his 30th from 103 overall, lifting his career earnings to $77,232. He paid $17.30 to win.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – Western Fair Raceway.