CF Sting Rei ($8.20) and driver Nick Steward blew away their competition in eliminations for the Alliance Spring Claiming Series on Wednesday, May 18 at The Raceway at Western Fair District.
CF Sting Rei was an open-lengths winner in the $5,000 horse and gelding eliminations for $6,000 claiming pacers. After a soft opening quarter-mile clocked in 30 seconds, driver Nick Steward sent CF Sting Rei on the move from mid-pack and battled past early leader Slots Of Fun as they passed the half-mile mark in :59.1. There was no catching CF Sting Rei once he cleared to command. The nine-year-old son of Cheyenne Rei raced by three-quarters in 1:28.2 and extended his lead to nearly 10 lengths en route to the 1:57.2 victory. Favourite Shiftyn George finished second while Howdy Partner was third.
CF Sting Rei earned his first win of the year from 12 starts for trainer Daniel Lehan and co-owner Kimberl Wheelergregorio. However, he was claimed for $6,000 and will now race for Allan Neal, who also claimed the race's fourth-place finisher Magnum Seelster.
Michigan invader Mccovey ($11.50, Tyler Borth) won the other elimination for male pacers in front-end fashion, stopping the clock in 1:58.3 for owner/trainer Danielle Neil. Lis Deo and Hemingway followed over two lengths behind in second and third, respectively.
Jeremeyes Jewel ($3.20, J Harris) and Andro Madi ($7.80, Jonathan Drury) were also wire-to-wire winners in the eliminations for fillies and mares.
Trained by Jim Watt for Jeffrey Williamson, favourite Jeremeyes Jewel completed her front-end mission in 1:57.4, winning by two and a quarter lengths over Daquiri Seelster and E L Avenger. The six-year-old Jeremes Jet mare was claimed for $7,500 by Ecuries Guy Gagnon Inc.
Returning to the races after a three and a half month layoff, Andro Madi worked past the favourite, Passion Quizrace, to take the lead during the first quarter and then cruised to a four and three-quarter length win in 1:57.2 for trainer and co-owner Carmen Auciello. Stirling Breeze came on for second and Ivegotmyeyeonu was third. Auciello added Passion Quizrace, who finished fourth, to his stable for $7,500.
To view Wednesday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Wednesday Results - Western Fair Raceway.