An early battle took its toll on the leaders in $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap for horse and gelding pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and that was just fine for London’s reigning Older Pacing Horse of the Year.
Kendal Gustav is his name, and mowing down tired leaders was his game in the Monday evening feature on the half-mile oval.
Lorne House got away fifth in the six-horse field with Kendal Gustav, while Topcornerterror sprinted to the lead and roughed up the parked out tandem of The Wayfaring Man and Mckinney in the first turn. Topcornerterror eventually got them lined up, but in the process he sped to the quarter pole in :26.4. He got the speed backed off coming to the grandstand, but as he passed by the half in :56.4 he had race favourite Mckinney coming at him once again.
Topcornerterror and Mckinney battled to the three-quarter pole in 1:25.4, and just before reaching that marker House had Kendal Gustav on the three-wide hustle. He worked his way to gain a short lead at the top of the stretch, and his :29.1 closing panel earned him the win by 2-3/4 lengths over Tero in 1:55.1. Topcornerterror had to settle for third prize.
Trainer Scott McNiven co-owns the seven-year-old son of Life Sign-City Of Dreams, who was sent off at odds of 6-1, with Thomas Brodhurst of London and Shirley Griffin of St. Thomas, Ont. The gelding won for the fourth time this season for the 37th time in his career. The $5,500 payday lifted his lifetime earnings over $260,000.
Alfie Carroll enjoyed a banner night at the office thanks to a five-win performance on the 10-race card.
Carroll was shutout in the first three races before capturing Race 4 with Thebestofme (1:57.4). He came right back in Race 5 with Bearly A Secret (2:01.3) before registering the natural hat trick after scoring in Race 6 with Logans Fury (1:57). He then swept the Late Double with R U Machin Me (1:56.2) in Race 9 followed by his triumph with Crafty Master (1:56.1) in Race 10.
Carroll is light years ahead of the competition when it comes to winning races in Canada this season. His five-bagger in London lifted this year’s win total to 215. Bob McClure holds down second spot with 144 wins so far this season.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.