The $8,000 second leg of the London Classic Sale Series for fillies commenced on Monday (May 18) at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with a lone division for pacers, and a pair of splits for trotters highlighting the 13-race program.
The second leg of the series for Ontario Sired fillies and mares who were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of March 1 provided the final opportunity to secure a spot in the $40,000 final which goes on Friday, May 20, Camluck Classic night.
In the lone division for pacers, Weslyn Hanover managed a perfect pocket trip en route to victory as she and driver Brett MacDonald navigated the crowded field of nine.
Leaving from post four, Weslyn Hanover took charge to the opening quarter in :29.4 while 2-5 favourite, Century Montana (Damian MacLellan) briefly went off-stride before resuming her charge to the top and clearing before the half in :58.2. Revved-up on the lead, Century Montana was loose on the lead, taking the field to three-quarters in 1:26.4 before Weslyn Hanover began to close the gap.
Moving within striking distance on the final turn, Weslyn Hanover got around Century Montana in the stretch before fending off Teesha Seelster (Lorne House), who was a length shy of a 52-1 stunner. Weslyn Hanover stopped the timer in 1:57.2, while Century Montana held for the show spot.
Weslyn Hanover has won three of eight on the year for trainer Meg Crone. The three-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight-Wiggle It Hanover is owned by Robert Woodburn of St Thomas, Ont., and Clan Haughan of Cambridge, Ont.
In the first division for trotters, Ellie looked the part of a 1-5 favourite as she and driver Austin Sorrie led every step of the way.
Leaving from post three, Ellie took a commanding lead to the first quarter in :29.2 before passing the stands the first time 3-1/2 lengths clear at the half in :59.4. The gap widened once more to six lengths at three-quarters in 1:28.4 before Ellie crossed the wire 3-1/2 lengths clear in 1:59.2. Lookstobemagic (Brent Belore) recovered from an early break to be second, with Demirose (Mark Etsell) third 11-1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Douglas McCarthy of Newmarket, Ont. owns Ellie, while Keith Jones trains the three-year-old Holiday Road-JN Daytona filly who has won two of five in 2026.
Look A Diamond and driver Garrett Rooney utilized similar front-end tactics to take the second split for trotters.
Away in third from the rail, Look A Diamond blitzed first-over to the lead just after a :30.4 opening quarter before crossing over in front of Slim Daisy (Damian MacLellan) and taking the quintet to the half in 1:00.3. Look A Diamond reached three-quarters in 1:30.3 before holding Slim Daisy at bay by 2-1/4 lengths on the wire in 2:00.4. Misty Vodka (Austin Sorrie) rallied to complete the tri.
Peter Hamilton of London, Ont. bred, owns and trains Look A Diamond, with the three-year-old Lookslikeachpndale-Black Diamond Star filly having won four of six on the year.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - Western Fair Raceway.
(Standardbred Canada)