Live harness racing returned to the Sarnia area on Saturday (May 7) with the 2022 season opener at Hiawatha Horse Park.
A total of 10 dashes were contested on a sunny Saturday afternoon, with fans pumping more than $42,000 through the betting windows.
On the racetrack, pacer Little Manny shipped west for some class relief after competing at Woodbine Mohawk Park since the end of January. Tyler Borth guided the five-year-old son of Articulator to victory in wire-to-wire fashion, stopping the clock in 1:55 for owner / trainer Dr. Trevin Shine of Rines Creek, N.S.
The most impressive equine performance of the afternoon came two races later courtesy nine-year-old trotter Darkangeldesbois F. Making his first start of 2022, the French-bred trotter overpowered his conditioned foes with 10-length score in 1:58.2 for driver Loic Gueriel, trainer Denis Gueriel and owner Haras De L Estrie Inc. of Dunham, Que.
On the driving side, Dan Clements made his return to the racebike following a near six-year retirement. Clements made three appearances in the sulky and picked up three cheques with a second, fourth and fifth.
Live racing continues at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturdays through to Sept. 24.
For the results from the Sarnia's Saturday card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.