A pair of $13,500 events were the co-features at Western Fair Raceway on Monday, and longshot lovers had to be pleased with what transpired in the Preferred Pace
Bigmizndrstnding played giant killer for the tandem of driver Mike Sumner and trainer Jim Ainsworth. The five-year-old son of No Pan Intended carved out panels of :28, :56.4 and 1:26.2 before crawling home in :31.1 to win by a nose in 1:57.3. Sent off at odds of 28-1, Bigmizndrstnding fended off runner-up Oakley Seelster and third-place finisher Pacific Oak.
It was the first win of the season in nine tries for the 12-time winner, who has banked more than $232,000 to date for partners Larry Ainsworth of Petrolia, ON and Bill Boden of Vancouver, BC.
Power Shot came through for the favourite players in the Preferred Trot, winning as the 6-5 choice in 1:59.2 for the team of driver Brad Forward and trainer Richard Moreau. The six-year-old son of Via Blaze wore down pacesetter Abbey Road C in the late stages of the mile en route to posting the win. Abbey Road C was a solid runner-up and Connected Yankee rounded out the top three finishers.
Keith Cassell of Smiths Falls, ON holds the papers on the gelding, who was claimed for $15,000 last August. He has potted just over $36,000 this season and more than $159,000 in his career.
In other Monday action at the London, ON half-miler, Sammy Syd unleashed a late kick to pull off a 7-1 upset in the $11,500 Fillies & Mares Preferred for driver Mike Whelan and trainer Jean Young. The six-year-old Astreos miss, who was making her first pari-mutuel start since December 18, 2009, needed every inch of the stretch to win by a neck in 1:57.3 over Tennessee Starlit. Third prize went to Stonebridge Celest.
Jean and Gord Young of London, ON hold the papers on the winner of $179,502, who visited thee winner’s circle for the 19th time in her career.
The $10,000 Preferred 2 saw Dashing Earl eke out a narrow win in 2:00 for trainer/driver Trevor Henry. Sent off as the even-money favourite, the four-year-old son of Earl fended off Sonny Vale in the closing strides en route to picking up his second win of the year. Big Changes grabbed the show dough.
Bred and owned by Bob Key of Leechburg, PA, the seven-time winner upped his lifetime earnings to $190,944 with the win.
To view Monday’s results, click here.