Lonny Stokes put on a dominant driving display Tuesday, June 5 at Fredericton Raceway.
Stokes, who has surpassed 1,200 wins in his career, scored with four winners on an 11-dash card, including two victories with horses trained by Nathalie Migneault.
Percy Challenge gave Stokes his fourth triumph in the final race of the card. The eight year old veteran paced home in 2:01.3, enjoying a perfectly engineered second over trip to defeat Ace On The River and Seven Signs. Stokes' first win came behind another Quebec-owned pacer. Fourteen-year-old Chilito Hanover also scored in 2:01.3, earning the 41st victory of his career.
Stokes' fastest win was produced by Linda Hughes' R Es Andrew in 2:00.3. The 8-1 longshot got up in the final strides to defeat Tornado Sky and Blue Man Group. R Es Andrew benefitted from some hot early fractions, and his off-the-pace positioning helped him cross the wire in front. Carl Hartley's Hot Shot Mindale was part of a stretch where Stokes earned three straight wins. The 13-1 son of Artsplace got an aggressive first-over steer and defeated One Wild Nite and Billienbud.
Woodmere Sandman won the featured New Brunswick Community College Pace in the fastest mile of the night. Stephen Trites guided the four year old to his first win of the season in 1:59.2. The son of Western Success is coming off a sophomore season that saw him earn $17,000 while earning a lifetime mark of 1:56 at the Charlottetown Driving Park.
Other winners were Allamerican Dazzle (Wayne Watson) in 2:02.3, Paris Knight (Gilles Barrieau) in 2:01.4, Contact Jones (Todd Trites) in 2:01.1, Ultimate Spirit (Todd Trites) in 2:02.3, Blue Demon (Mark Haig) in 2:03, and Choco Du Ruisseau (Mark Haig) in 2:01.2.
The next card of racing goes next Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. Exhibition Park in Saint John hosts a 1 p.m. program Saturday afternoon on the same day as the Belmont Stakes. Ill Have Another has a shot at the first US thoroughbred Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. There will be wagering available on the Belmont at Winners Lounge. The post position draw for the third jewel takes place this afternoon in New York.
(HRNB)
To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results – Fredericton Raceway.