The City Of London Series continued on Friday night at Western Fair Raceway with the trotters facing off in a quartet of eliminations.
The series is for Ontario-sired four-year-olds and younger that are non-winners of $10,000 lifetime as of midnight April 1, 2013.
Friday's filly and mare contests went to Dawning Dream and Lady Bling while Dreamfair Bogart and Flight Of The Kiwi won the male divisions -- each carrying a purse of $7,000.
Driven by Scott Coulter, the Tommy Andersson-owned and trained sophomore Dawning Dream ($16.30) sat fourth with only the two breakers beaten for most of the mile before sweeping by her rivals to break her maiden in 2:02.2 by more than three lengths. Pacesetter Duchess Ofnormanby (Tyler Borth) finished second while pocket-sitter Torches Angel (Trevor Henry) and favourite Shes Got Rules (Bruce Richardson) finished third and fourth.
Making just her third career start, Lady Bling ($5) journeyed first over from third and drew off to score her first win by 13-1/2 lengths in 2:02.2 for Team Young. Garlandcrest (Scott Coulter) recovered from an early miscue to finish second while early leader Angelina J (Fredrik Persson) was third and favourite Treaty Notice (Trevor Henry) fourth after breaking stride at the start of the race. Scott Young drove the three-year-old filly for his father, trainer Bob Young, and Alberta owners Blair and Erna Corbeil.
John Lamer's career-debuting Dreamfair Bogart ($7.20) and driver Nick Steward went from last to first in a field of six, winning in 2:02.3 by a quarter-length over the popular pacesetter PC Smart Ash (Curtis Clements). Charlie Muscle (Wayne Henry) finished one and a quarter lengths behind off a pocket trip. Classic Kazimir (Trevor Henry) was fourth. Patrick Fletcher trains the three-year-old gelding.
Driver Tony Kerwood later steered Flight Of The Kiwi ($5.40) to a 2:05.2 half-length triumph in the final division, holding off first over Keeperoftheheart (Peter Core) by half a length. Favourite Stonebridge Ultimo (Scott Coulter) finished one and three-quarter lengths behind from the two-hole and early breaker Little Wheelhouse (Andy Moore) was fourth. Clint Treen trains the four-year-old for owner Chad Gorrie.
The City Of London Series finals, including the pacing divisions, will be contested on May 31 in London as part of Molson Pace Night.
Rock On Moe ($6.20) and driver Brad Forward won the evening's $13,200 Preferred Pace, designated as the Molson Pace Prep, going wire-to-wire in 1:53.1 for trainer Patrick Shepherd and owner Jonah Moase of Cornwall, P.E.I. He will receive an invite to the $150,000 Molson Pace as a result of the victory.
Two-time defending champion Foiled Again, Aracache Hanover, State Treasurer, Versado, Keystone Velocity and Something For Doc have already accepted invitations to the track's signature event while one more spot will be filled this weekend. The draw for the Molson Pace will be conducted on Monday afternoon during the live race program. Local CTV Sports personality Norm James will be on hand to act as the guest drawmaster.
The fields for the City Of London trot finals are listed below in post position order:
$39,200 Fillies/Mares Trot Final
1. Dawning Dream
2. Duchess Ofnormanby
3. Garlandcrest
4. Angelina J
5. Lady Bling
6. Torches Angel
7. Shes Got Rules
8. Treaty Notice
AE1. Harmony Seelster
AE2. Keep Your Fork
$40,600 Colt/Horse/Gelding Trot Final
1. Charlie Muscle
2. Keeperoftheheart
3. Dreamfair Bogart
4. Classic Kazimir
5. Little Wheelhouse
6. Stonebridge Ultimo
7. Flight Of The Kiwi
8. PC Smart Ash
AE1. Tarnished Strike
AE2. Uncle Jack
To view Friday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Friday Results - Western Fair Raceway.