Jack Of Clubs was an upset winner in Monday’s $11,500 Preferred 2 Handicap for horse and gelding pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and he did it in going-away fashion.
With Tyler Moore at the controls, Jack Of Clubs got away third and held that position while Chocolate Swirl led the group through first-half fractions of :27.2 and :56.1. Moore was on the move with the 7-1 shot in the backstretch, and they advanced to be second on the outside while Chocolate Swirl continued to lead the way past the three-quarter marker in 1:24.3.
The hot fractions eventually got to Chocolate Swirl as she backed away late. Jack Of Clubs, on the other hands, was just getting started. He kicked home in :29.1 to win by a pair of lengths over Jay Eye Em in 1:54.3. Chocolate Swirl faded to finish third.
Garry MacDonald of Dundas, Ont. trains and owns the six-year-old son of World Of Rocknroll-CC Kloe who won for the third time this season from just seven trips to the track. The 19-time winner pushed his lifetime earnings over $100,000 in the process.
Bettors Western pulled off a 6-1 upset later on the card for Team MacDonald in the $8,500 Preferred 3 for horse and gelding pacers.
The gelding got away fourth for driver Brett MacDonald while Paparazzi Hanover shot to the lead and threw down fractions of :28.2, :58.1 and 1:26.4. Bettors Western was treated to second over cover on the way to the half before making a three-wide bid on the way to the three-quarter pole. From there he used a :29.1 closing panel to prevail by a length over Paparazzi Hanover in 1:56.3. Race favourite Officer Jones took home the show dough.
Ron MacDonald trains the six-year-old son of Bettors Delight-Western Moonlight for Synerco Ventures Inc of Toronto, Ont. The victory was the third of the season – and the 15th to date – for the career winner of $224,636.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.