Assigned the outside post position for the second week in a row, the streaking Thundering Ovation tried it first over this time out with a host of trotters leaving the gate, but couldn't catch the front-striding Heres The Magic in the featured $11,000 Preferred 2 Handicap on Wednesday at Western Fair Raceway.
Leaving from post three with Alfie Carroll aboard, Heres The Magic carved out fractions of :27.4, :58.3 and 1:27.2 with the favoured mare advancing from fifth to second into the stretch. But Heres The Magic rebuffed that rival to take a new season's mark of 1:58.1. Trained by Victor Puddy for Keith Cassell of Smiths Falls, Ont., the victory was Heres The Magic's fourth in 11 starts this year.
Sent postward as the 5-2 third choice in the field of seven, the five-year-old Kadabra gelding paid $7.20 to win. Aisling followed from the pocket to place, one and a half lengths behind. Finishing third through fifth, Cimeronken, CIS Buckeye and Thundering Ovation earned the final paycheques in the race.
Jumping up in class for his second straight win, Incredable Frank ($5) converted off a pocket trip to score in 2:00.1 in the $7,400 Preferred 3 over Action Image Hall for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Richard Moreau. The six-year-old son of Oaklea Julian is owned and bred by Frank Venneri of Thorold, Ont.
In other action, 11-year-old chestnut gelding Life Long ($5.70) celebrated his 50th career win with a 1:59 off-the-pace effort in the fourth race for $5,000 claimers. Patrick Shepherd currently trains the career earner of close to $300,000 for owner Laurie Patistas. The win was a first for driver Brad Forward since taking a family-related hiatus from racing last October.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.