After experiencing a rare defeat in her latest outing, Headpoles R Us returned to Western Fair Raceway on Monday and returned to the winner’s circle
following a narrow score in the $15,200 Fillies & Mares Preferred Pace.
The former claimer, who was fifth in last week’s assignment, won her first five starts after being claimed for $7,500 by Ron Haskell who placed the five-year-old daughter of Bo Knows Jate in the barn of his son, Chris “Gunner” Haskell.
Headpoles R Us managed to find her way into the pocket behind Just Her Way, who took the field to the quarter pole in :28.2. Trace Of Luck worked her way to the lead shortly after the opening station and put up the next fraction of :57.2.
Doug McNair had Headpoles R Us out and rolling at the mid-way point, and she pestered Trace Of Luck all the way to the three-quarter pole in 1:26. Despite backing away and giving up a position around the final turn, Headpoles R Us dug in late and used a :30-second final quarter to pick up the nose decision over Trace Of Luck. Just Her Way was a neck back in third.
Headpoles R Us improved her 2009 record to 7-1-0 in nine trips to the starting gate, and the lion’s share of the purse boosted her lifetime earnings to $93,631.
Trottin Troy romped to a seven-length score in the $13,800 Preferred Trot for the duo of trainer Steve Bossence and driver Dave Wall. It was the sixth win of the season in just 10 trips postward for the five-year-old son of Chip Chip Hooray.
Royal Missy, the lone mare in the contest, shot to the front and hung up an opening panel of :27.3, :57.1 and 1:26.2. Trottin Troy sat in the three-hole for the first half of the mile before edging off the pylons and moving into the pocket spot at the three-quarter pole.
Royal Missy was no match for her male counterpart, who used a :30.2 final frame to post the 1:57.1 decision. It was the quickest mile of the season for Trottin Troy, who defeated Royal Missy and Loose Change Louie.
Parent Racing Stable LLC of Holland, MI and Crystal Ball Stables of Akron, OH share ownership on the 17-time winner, who upped his lifetime earnings to $244,053 with the win.
Button Up took home top prize in the $12,800 Preferred-2 Pace for the Horner brothers – trainer Mark and driver Mike – in a sharp clocking of 1:55.1. It was the second win of the season in 12 attempts for the six-year-old son of Northern Luck.
Owned by the Sure Gain Stable of Mitchell, ON, Button Up was parked by J M Hannibal to the quarter pole in :27-seconds before being allowed to clear. Once he found the front he successfully chopped out splits of :57 and 1:26.1 en route to the 1:55.1 score. Shadywood Baron rallied for the runner-up award and Resistol was third.
The victory was the 18th lifetime win for Button Up, who is quickly closing in on $500,000 in career earnings. He currently checks in with a bank balance of $478,451.
To view Monday’s results, click here.