The 2011 Slots Cup Series kicked off on Friday night at Western Fair Raceway and it was a good night for the favourites who captured both of the
$12,000 divisions.
In the opening split, Cajon Thunder went straight to the front from Post 3 for driver J.R. Plante and did not look back with a sharp 1:55 tally. The four-year-old gelded son of Cammibest finished ahead of Encore Seelster while Daylon Hot Rod landed the show spot.
The victory was the third this season for the Bruce Goit trainee, who is owned by JL Benson Stables Inc. of Florida, Aaron Waxman of Burlington, Ont. and KDM Stables Corp. of New York. The winner’s share of the purse boosted his career bankroll to just over $96,000.
Every Day was just a tick faster in the second split as he scored gate-to-wire for driver Luc Ouellette in a sparkling 1:54.4. The four-year-old son of Western Terror won decisively over Larjon Barty with Dr Dew landing the show spot.
It was the third win this year for the Wayne Preszcator pupil and pushed his career bankroll to just over $60,000. Preszcator owns the pacer along with Ouellette and Harness Racing Canada 11 of Ajax, Ont.
Friday’s program at Western Fair also featured the first round of this year’s City Of London Trotting Series.
Post six was the place to leave from in a trio of $9,000 divisions for colts and geldings as all three winners came from that starting spot.
Baileys Magic was the fastest winner for driver Eddie Green, stopping the clock in 2:01.1. The other divisional winners were Full Force (Nick Steward) in 2:02 and Winford Hanover (Scott Coulter) in 2:03.1.
Defy Time won for the fifth time in just seven starts this season as she stopped the clock for driver Rob Shepherd in 2:01.1 – the fastest of the three splits for fillies and mares. The other two divisions went to Sovereign Ley (Mark Williams) in 2:01.4 and To Dream Again (Terry Kerr) in 2:03.1.
The Slots Cup Series will move to Flamboro Downs for the second leg on May 29 while the City Of London Series will continue with second-round action next Friday night at Western Fair. A quartet of $50,000 finals is slated for closing night, May 27.
For results from Friday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(With files from Western Fair)