Round two of the Spring Cleaning Stake was contested at Clinton Raceway on Sunday afternoon, with four divisions for the trotters and five for the pacers
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The trotters were up first, and the opening division went to Abigail Eden and driver Jason Brewer in 2:03.2. The Jamie Wilson-trained mare laid down all the fractions en route to the comfortable score over Awesome Kyle and Friend Of A Friend. The five-year-old daughter of Striking Sahbra, who was sent off as the even-money favourite, pushed her earnings past $80,000 with the win.
Jayportlookatme also used front-end tactics to land herself in the winner’s circle in her $3,400 division. Trained and driven by Brent Belore, the six-year-old daughter of Kadabra laid down all the speed en route to the easy win over Razzle Royale and Louise Albert. Jim and Jean Caddey along with Colleen Belore share ownership on the eight-time winner.
Berto Bravo showed no mercy to the six rivals he squared off with in the third division. The six-year-old son of Dr Ronerail and driver Garrett Rooney drew off to win by more than nine lengths over Zorgwijk Jade and CR Daddy O. Bob Geisel trains the gelding for owner Kenny Stanley of Kincardine, ON.
Fox Valley Summit was a disappointing sixth-place finisher in his round one assignment, but he bounced back with a 2:03.4 score in today’s tilt for the tandem of driver Jason Brewer and trainer David Sinclair. The six-year-old son of Vaporize drew off to win by close to three lengths over Armbro Chaperon and Stormont Platinum. John Sinclair of Palmerston, ON owns the 13-time winner.
The pacers were up next, and Lil Pilgrim circled the field in the opening division for the duo of driver Jason Brewer and owner/trainer Jim Stewart. The five-year-old son of Artistic picked up cover and then fired three-wide late in the mile en route to posting the half-length score over Bio Babacar in 2:02.1. Third prize went to Roses Scholar. The victory improved the pacer’s 2011 record to 2-4-3 in 13 starts.
Brewer came right back to take the next $3,400 affair with Black Machine in a time of 2:00.2. The Darryl Hill trainee, who was halving in value, came first over and drew clear to win by a one-length margin over race favourite Dolce And Gapanna, with Sir Adulation finishing third. Kim Smith of Ohsweken, ON holds the ownership papers on the five-year-old son of Omar Khayam.
Driver Brad Fritz and trainer Dwayne McFadden teamed up to take the next split with Western Rival, who went wire-to-wire in a time of 2:01.3. The eight-year-old son of Western Hanover, who is owned by David Deighton of Dresden, ON, defeated Tymal Triton and Vijay Bert.
It was a coast-to-coast victory for Scotian Rambo in the next division. The 10-year-old Rambaran gelding held on to win by a head over Comical Cut, with Eagle Mcnair rounding out the top three finishers. Rob Sparling, Jr. mapped out the trip for the Cory Fuller trainee, who is now a 15-time winner in his career.
There was no touching Western Traveler in the final $3,400 split. The five-year-old son of Western Hanover rushed to immediate command for driver Stuart Sowerby, who cruised under the line with a length to spare in a time of 1:59.1. The Jen Rankin pupil defeated Daringly Devilish and R J Jefferson. Amber Rankin of Dundas and Len Gamble of Etobicoke, ON share ownership on the career winner of $33,287.
The top eight money winners from each of the events will have the chance to line up behind the starting gate in next Sunday’s final. The final for the pacers goes for $21,600 while the trotters will race for $18,600 in their final.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.