Ontario driving mainstay Scott Coulter achieved the 5,000-win milestone on Wednesday night (April 17) at The Raceway at Western Fair District, partnering with Spicey Victor ($2.40) in an $8,500 claiming trot.
Coulter protected inside position with Spicey Victor to assume the lead on the first turn, seating both A Whole Lotta Sass (Colin Kelly) and Played By Swan (Dennis Duford) through a :28.4 first quarter. The pair then rebuffed a first-over push from Played By Swan nearing the half in :59.4 before accelerating away up the far side.
The nine-year-old Broadway Hall gelding drew clear willingly to take the 48th win of his career by 8-1/4 lengths in 1:59.1 for trainer Leonard Lalonde and owner Kristina Lalonde. Played By Swan was an isolated second, well clear of a tiring A Whole Lotta Sass.
Scott Coulter is honoured trackside by Greg Blanchard (left) and Greg Gangle (right) following his 5,000th career driving win
Coulter, based out of Brantford, Ont., has been a mainstay on the Ontario circuit since the mid-1990s. He recorded 15 consecutive million-dollar seasons dating to 2004, earned his first Western Fair driving title in 2018, and enjoyed success south of the 49th parallel in 2016 as well, when he took top driving honours at Tioga Downs.
In the featured $9,400 Preferred 3 Trot, Nebraska Jack ($8.90) and Tyler Borth sustained a first-over push out of third to wrest command from pacesetter Stormont Kate (Bruce Richardson) in upper stretch and fend off a bevy of late challengers in 2:00.3. All Out Henry (Scott Young) and Hldontghttoyrdrms (Alfie Carroll), second- and third-over respectively behind the winner's cover, finished second and third.
Nebraska Jack (#2) leads a cavalry charge to the winning post in the Preferred 3 Trot
Stephen Bossence trains 16-time winner Nebraska Jack for Stable Twenty Three Inc.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.