Clinton Raceway kicked off its 2009 racing season on Sunday afternoon, and the opening day card was dedicated to the opening round of the Central Huron Stakes
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Trotters and pacers did battle in a total of 12 divisions, each worth $8,000. Here’s a recap of what transpired in the opening leg in the various categories:
CENTRAL HURON STAKES – COLTS & GELDINGS TROT
H S Blaze front-stepped his way to a 2:08.3 maiden-breaking victory for driver Trevor Henry and owner/trainer Keith Hastie of Priceville, ON. The son of Fiesty G G sliced out splits of :32.1, 1:06.1 and 1:38.3 before kicking home in :30 seconds en route to the seven-length decision. Carscot Quixote was second and Piracy finished third.
M T L Maple extended his win streak to four-in-a-row for the father son due of owner/trainer Walter Whelan and driver Mike Whelan. The son of Malabar Maple did most of the roadwork en route to the 2:06.2 win. Waytogo Abra tagged along to finish in the runner-up spot and Who Gets The Money was third. The colt, who was unraced as a rookie, now owns a 4-0-1 record in his first five starts.
CENTRAL HURON STAKES – FILLIES & MARES TROT
Windsong Felicity broke her maiden at first asking for owner/breeder Bill Loyens and trainer/driver Glen Hardy thanks to a 2:05 score in her division. The Via Blaze miss made a three-wide move in the late stages of the mile and kept pouring on the speed in the lane en route to the two-length triumph over Paco Patti. J N Baroness rounded out the top three.
Taylorlane Express started her career 0-for-8, but broke out of that slump with a 2:06.2 victory for trainer Frank O’Reilly and driver Garrett Rooney. The daughter of Abundance, who is owned by O’Reilly and partners Doug Gear and Edwin Taylor, recovered from a gate break to win in going away fashion over Paco Brandy and Berndts Lucky Girl.
CENTRAL HURON STAKES – FILLIES & MARES PACE
Fontana Seelster notched the second win of her career thanks to a 2:02.3 score in her division for trainer Rich Griffiths and driver Alfie Carroll. The Modern Art filly, who races for Griffiths and partners Dr. Chris Robson, Richard Thompson and Douglas Weldon, took advantage of a pocket trip en route to posting the career-best clocking. Rhianne was second best and third prize went to Byma.
Her Perogative overcame a post seven start en route to a 2:01.4 triumph for driver Trevor Henry and owner/trainer Marysa Snider of Ingersoll, ON. The mare kicked home in :29.2 to post the one-length decision over Mystic Arrow. Wish N Win was a distant third. The victory was the third consecutive score for the daughter of Aces N Sevens.
Nemesis Seelster won as she pleased in the next split for the tandem of driver J. Harris and trainer Rick Deacon, who co-owns the Western Maverick mare with Andrew Rogers and Wilbert Seaton. She brushed to the lead shortly past the mid-way point and cruised to a 2:01.2 score over Trickysmasterpiece and Tommy Tsunami. The winner has put together a 2-1-1 record in six starts this season.
Daylon Charmer found the winner’s circle for the first time in her career when she rallied to a 2:00.3 victory for driver Mike Sumner and trainer Scott McNiven, who also owns the mare with partners Thomas Broadhurst, Dr. Donald Pooley and Gary Pooley. The No Pan Intended miss defeated April Dilinger and Worthherweightnoats.
CENTRAL HURON STAKES – COLTS & GELDINGS PACE
Tommy Tiger equaled his lifetime mark when he stepped to a 1:59.2 victory for driver Herbie Litt, Jr. and owner/trainer James Eagleson of Tupperville, ON. It was the first win of the season in four tries for the Rambaran colt, who defeated runner-up Tapioca Blues and third-place finisher Pinner.
Sign Of Fame celebrated his first lifetime win when he front-stepped his way to a 2:00.3 tally for driver Fred Jamieson. Fred Jewell, who conditions the three-year-old son of Apaches Fame for owner/breeder Rob Chapple of Chatham, ON, watched the gelding win by a length over Cammiofthenorth. Third prize went to Rammy Sammy.
Call To See also posted a maiden-breaking score when he stopped the teletimer in 2:01.3 in his division for trainer Wayne Preszcator and driver Doug McNair. The son of Western Terror, who races for owner Jeffrey Brooks of Boca Raton, FL, knocked off the odds-on favourite Lyons Levi, who was second, and Cheyneville Bow.
Lyons Trick showed no mercy to the foes he faced in the final event of the afternoon. The son of Camluck, who is owned by Geoffrey Lyons Mound of Burford, ON, drew off to win by more than 12 lengths in a time of 1:59.3 for the duo of trainer Bruce Goit and driver Anthony Haughan. The colt was a long distance phone call ahead of runner-up Smiling Image and third-place finisher Down With That.
The second leg of the series is scheduled for next Sunday at Clinton Raceway, and the $15,000 (added) finals will be contested on Sunday, May 17.
To view Sunday’s results, click here.