The first race of the newly formed Ontario Standardbred Racing Alliance took place on Tuesday night at The Raceway at Western Fair District in London, Ontario.
On hand for the historic night (from left to right) were Mike Woods (Chief Operating Officer Western Fair Association), John Snobelen (Ontario Horse Racing), Michael Keegan (Former Chief of Staff of OMAFRA) and Hugh Mitchell (Chief Executive Officer Western Fair Association).
The Racetrack Alliance is an eight-track partnership which includes The Raceway, Flamboro Downs, Georgian Downs, Clinton Raceway, Hanover Raceway, Grand River Raceway, Mohawk and Woodbine.
On the track, a front-stepping approach led to a decisive score for Andro Madi in Tuesday’s $10,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 2 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
With Robert Shepherd at the lines, Andro Madi hustled to the lead from Post 2 and sliced out splits of :28.1, :58.4 and 1:28 before using a :29.4 kicker to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Set Me Up in 1:57.4. Rachel Olivia tagged along to finish third.
Patrick Shepherd trains the six-year-old daughter of Shanghai Phil-Rose Damour for Jonah Moase of Cornwall, PEI. It was her third win of the year and the 22nd lifetime tally for the career winner of $111,820.
Vegas Strip Three marched up the class ladder and took on a solid group in the $7,000 Fillies & Mares Preferred 3, and thanks to a ground-saving trip she managed to extend her winning streak to three-in-a-row for trainer Ray Farmer.
Alfie Carroll mapped out the trip for the five-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Vegas Strip, who rallied to win by half a length over Mother Hen in 1:58.1. Angel On The Wing rounded out the Triactor ticket.
Michigan partners Roger Crozier of Sterling Heights and James Boes of Rochester Hills have watched the distaffer put together an impressive record of 5-1-2 from eight trips to the track this season. The 18-time winner went over $70,000 in career earnings with the win.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Western Fair.
(with files from Western Fair; photo courtesy Jake MacDonald)