Hanover Raceway hosted the fourth leg of the Slots Cup Series on Saturday night while the Saugeen Claiming Series continued with second round action at the half-mile track
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The outside starters turned out to be the front-runners and repeat winners in the two $12,000 Slots Cup Series divisions, beginning with Larjon Barty.
Driven by Bruce Richardson, Larjon Barty jumped out to a quick lead in :27.1 and continued to control the pace past the half in :57.1 and three-quarters in 1:26 flat. After a tough trip, favourite Web Cam (Ross Battin) managed to get into the pocket before the three-quarters, but was only able to come within a half-length of Larjon Barty, who finished the mile in 1:55 flat. Stonebridge Memoir (Travis Bowman) finished third.
Larjon Barty is trained by Larry Lane for his son Jonathan Lane of Kincardine, Ont. The four-year-old gelded son of Tuxedo Charlie-Absolute Knockout, a third leg Slots Cup winner, was victorious for the fourth time (third consecutive) in eight seasonal starts.
Cajon Thunder earned his fifth consecutive win (and fourth in Slots Cup action) in the second division.
Driven by Michael Dowling for trainer Bruce Goit, the four-year-old gelded son of Cammibest-Tex In The City was four-wide around the first turn before settling in the third spot at the quarter pole in :26.4. Dowling didn’t sit on the rail long though, moving to the lead before the half in :55.2. He increased his lead on the rest of the pack to five lengths past the three-quarters mark in 1:25, but started to tire in the stretch and won by one length in 1:55.1. Lawmen Reign (Ross Battin) finished second and Every Day (Travis Bowman) was third.
Afterwards, Dowling said the competition in the Slots Cup Series has been very strong and he knew his horse was riding a win streak. He said he figured he would try and leave despite the outside post position, and was very happy to be able to hold on for the win.
The victory was Cajon Thunder's sixth in 15 starts this year for owners JL Benson Stables Inc. of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Aaron Waxman of Burlington, Ont. and KDM Stables Corp. of Farmingdale, New York.
The Slots Cup Series moves to Clinton Raceway on Sunday, July 10 and then Grand River Raceway on Friday, July 22 for the final two preliminary legs. The $75,000 (added) final will take place on Saturday, September 3 at Hiawatha Horse Park.
Saturday was the second night of racing for 12 horses competing in the Saugeen Claiming Series for colts and geldings.
Franky B Skipalong won the first $8,400 division in 1:57.4 for driver Mike Whelan and trainer Rebecca Titus. The first leg winner was claimed off owner Steven Titus of Hamburg, New York by Bill Brown of Hanover for $15,000.
The second division went to Lauriesace and driver Travis Bowman by a nose in 1:57.1. Paul Taylor trains for Janet Koehler of Brussels, Ont.
The top eight point earners in both the colt and filly divisions will return to Hanover on Saturday, July 2 for the $24,200 finals.
Hanover also hosted the “So You Think You Can Drive” promotion, thanks to the Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA). Twelve lucky fans were paired with up professional drivers and got to jog a horse for a mile around the Hanover oval. Those same horses will take part in the Hanover Open House on Sunday from 12 noon until 4 p.m. in the Hanover Raceway backstretch.
For results from Saturday's harness racing card, click on the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway.
(With files from Hanover Raceway)