ICR Racing’s Rebel Voyager ($4.20), one of three winners on the night for trainer Dean Nixon, turned aside two stern challenges en route to a pillar-to-post, 1:58 victory in Wednesday evening’s (April 4) featured $11,500 Preferred 2 Pace at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
Flanked by The Loan Ranger (Bob McClure) and Jake Loewen (Ryan Holliday) at race’s outset, Rebel Voyager left strongly enough to rebuff his outside rival and clear The Loan Ranger on the first turn. After controlling a :28.4 first quarter, the four-year-old Shanghai Phil gelding managed some second-quarter respite, slowing the tempo down to a 1:00.2 half mile before being faced with a first-over challenge from last week’s Preferred winner Don McWhite (J Harris).
With three-eighths of the one-mile event to go, Rebel Voyager was pushed to the limit by the encroaching Don McWhite, and the pair duelled through a :28.2 third quarter. Scott Coulter called upon Rebel Voyager to hold his ground, and he edged away under urging to turn aside his flattening foe nearing head-stretch. Ultimately, Rebel Voyager proved 1-1/2 lengths better than pocket rival The Loan Ranger, who held second. Reel (Travis Henry) mustered a mild three-wide bid after cornering for home to take third.
Rebel Voyager, now a 17-time winner and a three-time winner in ten tries this year, was the centrepiece of Nixon’s training hat trick on the 10-race card. Bob McClure drover Nixon’s other trainees Secret Colors ($3.80, 2:01.3) and Title Town ($6.80, 1:59) to victory.
In the sub-featured $8,500 Preferred 3 Trot, Many A Man ($6.10)—who upset at 33-1 a fortnight ago—lost cover with seven-sixteenths to go after the first-over Majestic Marvel broke, yet raised a strong salvo to wear down a game Fluff Me Up by a neck in 2:00.3. Many A Man, who struck the front in the final 70 yards, was driven by McClure to his eighth career win. Trainer Bob McIntosh shares ownership of the four-year-old Manofmanymissions gelding with the C S X Stables and Dave Boyle.
To view Wednesday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.