Lorne House put the pedal to the metal with Kendal Gustav in Monday’s $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap for pacers at The Raceway at Western Fair District, and the gelding wired up his foes en route to pulling off a startling upset at odds of 29-1.
Kendal Gustav, who started from the rail in the seven-horse affair, shot to the top and successfully sliced out splits of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.4 before using a :29.3 closing quarter to win by two lengths in 1:56.2. Amazon Art tagged along to finish second, with the show dough going to Leafs And Wings.
Trainer Scott McNiven co-owns the five-year-old son of Life Sign-City Of Dreams with Tom Brodhurst of London and Shirley Griffin of St. Thomas, Ontario. It was his fourth win of the year and the 21st of his career. The $5,500 payday lifted his overall earnings to $142,612.
Excellence turned a two-hole trip into a two-length triumph in the $7,000 Preferred 3 for trotters. Scott Coulter worked out the beautiful trip for the Ian Downey-trained mare who stalked leader Triple B Herbie through fractions of :29, :59.2 and 1:29.4. Excellence rallied home in :31.2 over the ‘good’ track and that was good enough to earn her the 2:01.3 decision. Sonny Vale was next best, with Triple B Herbie fading to finish third.
Susan Downey of St. George Brant, Ontario owns the seven-year-old daughter of Kadabra-Noble Message. The 16-time winner bumped her bankroll to $170,978 with the victory.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Western Fair.