P C Firecracker journeyed first over to wear down the quick-leaving Indiana Hall and notch his second consecutive victory on Wednesday in the featured $13,200 Preferred Trot at Western Fair Raceway.
P C Firecracker and driver Curtis Clements advanced first over from third after the opening quarter of :29.2 and applied pressure to the leading Indiana Hall (Doug McNair). Kicking into high gear around the final turn, P C Firecracker pushed ahead of the tempo-setter and trotted on to record a career-best equalling 1:59.1 triumph. Indiana Hall stayed for second, finishing one length behind, and pocket-sitter Long Ago (Bruce Richardson) was third. P C Firecracker paid $14.70 to win.
The four-year-old son of Amigo Hall, who now has two wins and one second in three Preferred starts this year, is owned by trainer-breeder Peter and Amy Clements of Dobbinton, Ont. Wednesday's victory was his ninth lifetime and boosted his bankroll to $76,040.
Earlier on the card, nine-year-old trotting mare Black Diamond Star went wire-to-wire to win the $8,400 Preferred 2 in a season's best 1:59.2 for catch-driver Jason Brewer. She notched her third win in a row at the London, Ont. oval while Southwind Nazareth (Trevor Henry) and the popular first over challenger, Winkys Pride (Alex Lilley), rounded out the top three finishers over one and a half lengths behind. Black Diamond Star returned $11.90 to win. The daughter of Angus Hall is trained Peter Hamilton and owned by the Hamilton, Ont.-based Merrill Hotel 1975 Ltd.
Rebounding from a break in stride in her last start over two weeks ago at Flamboro Downs, four-year-old trotting mare Dayplanner and driver Jean Bernard Reneau captured the $5,600 Preferred 3 for trainer Julie Walker and owner-breeder Brenda Walker of Owen Sound, Ont. The Oaklea Julian miss sat third for most of the mile before sprinting home for the two and three-quarter length victory in a career-best 1:59 over favourite Rainbow Gold (Dennis Duford) and Stolen Goods (Dave Wall). She paid $13 to win.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair District.