Driver Thomas Smith and trainer Jayne Walker teamed up to capture both Central Huron Stakes trotting finals contested Sunday afternoon at Clinton Raceway
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The duo kicked off the stakes actions with a victory in the first $22,900 event for trotting colts and geldings. After getting away fourth from Post 7, Oaklea Torpedo charged to command during the third panel and cruised to a 2:03.4 victory, with his final quarter clocked in :30.2. Pocket-sitter Need Help Here (Chris Matthews) finished three-quarters of a length behind in second while Bringing Sexy Back (Dennis Morrissey) overcame early interference and finished third.
Oaklea Torpedo paid $7.70 to win as the 5-2 second choice in the field of top eight money earners in the late closer series for Ontario-sired horses that are four years old and younger with less than $5,000 earned as of May 1. The three-year-old son of Mutineer-Oaklea Fawn is owned by Smith, Walker and Simcoe’s Oaklea Farm Inc. The bay gelding, who won his first leg division and finished second in round two action, now sports two wins, three seconds and one third from nine starts on his career record and has earned $21,820.
Stablemate Oaklea Tiara captured the next Central Huron Stakes final, a $25,000 event for trotting fillies and mares. The Post 1 starter found herself in an 11 and a half length hole early on in fifth with only three breakers trailing. She tracked the cover of the eventual third place finisher, favourite Final Straw (Jason Brewer), before charging three-deep at the third quarter mark and kicking home in :30.1 to score in 2:03.1 by nearly two lengths. Pacesetter Sandhill Angel (Bruce Richardson) finished second.
Oaklea Tiara paid $11 to win as the 9-2 fourth choice. Smith and Walker co-own the Duke Of York-Oaklea Nell miss, who won her opening leg division and was third-placed-sixth in the second round. She now sports two wins, four seconds and one third on her 14-race record with earnings totalling $25,045.
In the first pacing finale, a $24,400 event for fillies and mares, Waasmula recovered from an early miscue behind the gate from Post 7 and survived an overland journey to win in 1:57.2. The three-year-old Million Dollar Cam-Waasmowin filly advanced to the lead around first over challenger and eventual third place finisher Sweet She Rolls (Jason Brewer) and opened up daylight on the field with a :28.4 final quarter for her fourth win in five career outings. Poppins (Alfred Carroll) rallied from last to place.
Waasmula paid $7.70 to win as the 5-2 second choice. Anthony Haughan did the driving for trainer Bruce Goit and owner-breeder Brent Vincent of Allenford, Ont. Waasmula has banked $24,700 in her short career thanks in part to one win and one second place effort in the opening legs of the series.
Troopers Champ delivered on his pari-mutuel promise in the final $24,400 stakes event on the card for pacing colts and geldings. With Trevor Henry in the bike the Courier Hanover-Smart Trooper four-year-old rallied from the backfield with a :29.2 final frame for the two length victory in 1:58.4. Peruvian Star (Tony Kerwood) and Can You Fly (Jason Brewer) finished second and third respectively.
The Paul Taylor-trained gelding paid $4.80 to win for the third time in nine lifetime starts. John Watson of Blyth, Ont. owns Troopers Champ, who won his first leg division and finished third in the second round. His lifetime earnings climbed to $20,010 with today’s victory.
For results from Sunday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Clinton Raceway.