The London Classic Sale Series continued on Monday, May 19 at The Raceway at Western Fair District, with Pier Ho Emerald and Brittas Best Bet proving quickest in their respective divisions in round two.
A pair of $8,000 divisions for pacing fillies and trio for trotting fillies that are Ontario-sired four-year-olds and younger who were non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight, March 1, 2025 headlined the 10-race card.
On the trotting side, Pier Ho Emerald was the fastest of the three division winners with a 1:59 romp in the second division with driver Daryl Thiessen.
The Gabriella Sasso trainee quickly grabbed command of the field of six from post three, trotting to a quarter of :29.2 before reaching the halfway point in 1:00. Pressure would come with Angel Fly Away (Samuel Fillion) trotting alongside the leader to three-quarters in 1:30. The two battled around the final turn where Angel Fly Away jumped it off, allowing Pier Ho Emerald to trot to the wire six lengths clear in 1:59. Kaylas Incharge (Louis Gregg) finished second, with Trophy Wife (Travis Henry) finishing third.
After finishing second in round one, Pier Ho Emerald secured her first win of 2025 in her second outing for owners Jeffrey Courchesne and Martwest Racing Stable. It was the maiden-breaking victory for the daughter of Green Manalishi S-Pier Ho La Donato.
Pier Ho Emerald paid $4.90 for the victory.
The other two divisions on the trotting side went to Dont Chang My Naam (Bruce Richardson, $5.30) in 2:02.1 and P C Sunshine Girl (Samuel Fillion, $2.40) in 1:59.4.
On the pacing side, Brittas Best Bet rode the pocket throughout to a career-best 1:56.3 in a mild upset score with Austin Sorrie.
Sent off at 4-1, Brittas Best Best stung 1-5 favourite Mai Tide (Dale Spence) to the quarter in :28.4 before tucking in the pocket. The Paul Davies trainee drafted along in second through middle half fractions of :57.3 and 1:26.3 before edging from the pocket turning for home. Closing with a :29.3 final quarter, Brittas Best Bet tracked down the bettors' choice to score by three parts of a length. Sadies Delight (Daryl Thiessen) finished third, three lengths back of the winner.
Steve Fudge's homebred daughter of All Bets Off-Tantalizing Trish has won two of three starts on the year after being runner-up a week ago in leg one.
The other pacing division went to Twin B Bodacious (Daryl Thiessen, $2.10) in a front end 1:59.3 victory for her fourth score in her last five outings.
To view Monday's harness racing results, click the following link: Monday Results - The Raceway at Western Fair District.
(Standardbred Canada)