Pacers were in the spotlight Tuesday evening at The Raceway at Western Fair District, as the half-mile oval hosted eliminations for this year’s City Of London Series.
Horses and geldings sparred in a set of $7,000 eliminations, while the gals duked it out in a trio of $7,000 tilts.
Irvine James was a popular winner in his assignment, and he did so in front-stepping fashion for driver Mark Williams. The 2-5 favourite rolled through panels of :29.1, :59.1 and 1:27.2 before using a :30.1 closing quarter to win by 3-3/4 lengths over Sly Baran in 1:57.3. Big Sport was third.
Bill Kirkpatrick of Amherstburg, Ont. owns and trains the four-year-old son of Mach Three-Dexter Shmoopy. The homebred now boasts a 2-3-1 record from 12 starts this season, and he’s banked close to $14,000 along the way. The three-time winner has stashed away more than $20,000 to date.
Lil Richie survived a first-over trip to win the other elimination in 2:00.4 for the tandem of driver Bob McClure and trainer Dean Nixon. Bearly A Secret sliced out splits of :28.4, :58.2 and 1:28.3 before coughing up the lead. Lil Richie came first-over on the way to the half, and he eventually worked his way to the lead in the late stages of the mile and posted the head decision over Forrest Alex in 2:00.4. Bearly A Secret was a lapped-on third.
ICR Racing of Pefferlaw, Ont. bred and owns the three-year-old son of Mach Three-Warrawee Lil who pushed his lifetime earnings to $6,900 with the maiden-breaking tally.
Casimir Pardon Me got the ball rolling for the girls thanks to her 1:59.2 triumph in the first elimination. Bob McClure rallied the Kyle Reibeling pupil to the 28-1 upset over Life Groove and You Mach Me Crazy.
Reibeling co-owns the three-year-old daughter of Astronomical-Trust Me Ashley with Tom Gallant and Steve Murphy. The partners watched the filly improve this year’s record to 2-3-3 from 17 starts with the win. She boosted her lifetime earnings to $14,120 in the process.
Stonebridge Medusa notched the first win of her career for Team McNair, and she did so as an overwhelming 1-5 favourite. Doug McNair sent her to the lead and she raced through fractions of :29.1, :58.3 and 1:27 before coasting home in :30.3 to win by a length over Always Covers in 1:57.3. Bad At Redhot took home the show dough.
Trainer Gregg McNair of Guelph, Ont. co-owns the three-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Stonebridge Muse with breeders Angie Stiller of Arva, Ont. The lightly-raced lass boosted her bankroll to $11,760 with the win.
Machioda extended her winning streak to three-in-a-row thanks to her 1:57.2 victory in the final elimination. Bob McClure sat just off the speed with the Craig Gilmour pupil, who grabbed the lead in the lane and fended off late pressure to win by a head in 1:57.2. Nic Nac Patty Mach was next best, with Sparkle rounding out the Triactor ticket.
Craig Gilmour trains the three-year-old daughter of Mach Three-Prada Girl for owners Mike Timpano, Robert Van Camp and Seaspray Stabled Ltd. She’s now 5-for-6 this season, and he overall cash stash sits at $23,190.
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – The Raceway at Western Fair District.