Racing fans were treated to a twelve-race program at Clinton Raceway on Sunday afternoon, with ten of those races dedicated to trotters and pacers competing in leg two of the Central Huron Stakes
.
Here’s a complete recap of what transpired in the various divisions:
Central Huron Stake - Colts & Geldings Trot
West Gray Bay, who was a 2:04.4 winner in leg one of the stake, was a tick quicker on Sunday capturing his assignment in a career-best clocking of 2:04.3 for driver Stuart Sowerby. The homebred, sophomore son of Fiesty G G-Parkside Princess, who is owned and trained by Keith Hastie of Priceville, ON, defeated Oaklea Torpedo and Harleys Way.
The other tilt went to Bringing Sexy Back, who was a 2:06.1 winner in just the second start of his career. The three-year-old son of Duke Of York-Chasing Amy used front-end tactics to win by 9-1/2 lengths for driver Dennis Morrissey and owner/trainer Brad Schweitzer of London, ON. The colt, who was sent off at odds of 3-1, defeated Billy Long Haul and Rocknrolla, who both recovered from early miscues in the six-horse affair.
Central Huron Stake – Fillies & Mares Trot
Stonebridge Entice failed to garner a cheque in each of her first three starts, but she minded her manners and posted a maiden-breaking score in a time of 2:07.3 in her division. The three-year-old Angus Hall-Stonebridge Lure filly led through sensible fractions of :31.4, 1:04.3 and 1:36.2 for driver Trevor Henry before using a :31.1 final frame to post the win by three-quarters of a length over Trot N Miles. Canadian Babe rounded out the top three finishers. Paul Ruhl trains the youngster for owner Jim Ruhl of Tara, ON.
Fiesty Marian, who was second in the opening round of the Central Huron Stake, also broke her maiden on Sunday thanks to a 2:05.4 triumph in her $8,000 division. Trevor Henry had the three-year-old daughter of Fiesty G G-Oaklea Mystique out the route, and after opening up a big lead turning for home she held on to win by a narrow margin over St Lads Mystique. Reenees Shotrock completed the Triactor ticket. Wayne Henry trains the youngster, who was sent off as the 1-2 choice, for the Henry Stable of Arthur and Daniel McCann of Parkhill, ON.
Final Straw made her debut for a trainer Jim Tropea a winning one thanks to her 2:05.4 tally in the third division. It was the second consecutive victory for the sophomore daughter of Mutineer-Triple T Carmel, who used off-the-pace tactics for driver Jason Brewer en route to winning by three lengths over Sandhill Angel. Killkenny Irish grabbed the show dough.
Central Huron Stake - Colts & Geldings Pace
Peruvian Star was a 2:01.1 winner in the first leg of the Central Huron Stake, and he matched that clocking when he captured Sunday’s second-leg assignment for driver Tony Kerwood and trainer Brian Allen, who shares ownership on the three-year-old son of Peruvian Hanover-Touch Of Faith with Ed Laybourne of Dundalk, ON. The gelding survived a first-over trip en route to defeating runner-up Aberarder Smitty by 4-3/4 lengths. Third prize was earned by Casimir Kibitzer.
Diamond Duster was another repeat winner in the Central Huron thanks to his 2:01.4 tally in the second division. The three-year-old son of Western Maverick-Diamondindisguise, who was sent off as the 4-5 favourite, led the field through fractions of :29.4, 1:01.1 and 1:31.4 before using a :30-second final quarter to win by 1-1/4 lengths over Stonebridge Scout. Shakethatash completed the Triactor ticket. Trainer Russ Ellis shares ownership on the colt with the love of his life, Mary Paulic of West Montrose, ON.
Can You Fly paced to a free-legged score in the third division in a time of 2:01.3 for the tandem of driver Jason Brewer and trainer Ian Downey. The four-year-old son of Camluck-Eicarls Blue Eyes, who was fourth in his first leg assignment, came first over and eventually wore down the leaders en route to his 1-1/4 lengths triumph over Modern Kisses. Troopers Champ was third despite making a late break.
Central Huron Stake – Fillies & Mares Pace
P L Etching took a lifetime mark of 1:59.4 when she broke her maiden in her opening leg assignment, and on Sunday she came right back for a second helping of the winner’s circle following her 2:02.2 triumph for driver Trevor Henry and trainer Paul Mairs. The three-year-old Modern Art-Finally Focused lass, who is owned by Maple City Equestrian Ctr of Dresden, ON, front-stepped her way to the 2-1/4 lengths tally over True Romance, with Lifelooksgood taking home the show dough.
Poppins went into her Sunday assignment as a maiden, but she went home with a win picture thanks to her 2:00 triumph for the duo of driver Alfie Carroll and trainer Brian Eckenstein. Owned by Brianna Eckenstein of Denfield, ON, the four-year-old daughter of Aces N Sevens-Fashions In did most of the road work en route to taking the checkered flag by three-quarters of a length over Waasmula. Sweet She Rolls rounded out the top three finishers.
The top money winners from the preliminary legs of each event will have the chance to line up behind the starting gate in next Sunday’s finals.
To view results for Sunday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Sunday Results – Clinton Raceway.