Dennis Duford's homebred trotting mare April Duford turned in a career-best performance to win the featured $5,200 Preferred 3 Handicap at Hiawatha Horse Park on Saturday, June 7.
Driver Robert Doyle had April Duford in the mix leaving the gate from post five and was able to secure early position in third into a contested :28 opening quarter. Moving underway approaching the :57.3 half-mile mark, April Duford swept to command, reaching three-quarters in 1:27.3 then holding clear by 1-1/4-lengths as her rivals took aim on both sides in deep stretch for the lifetime-best 1:58 victory. In the race for place, Southwind Aviator (Andy Moore) edged out the other mare in the field of seven, 6-5 favourite Champagne Bettina (Garrett Rooney). April Duford paid $7.20 to win as the 5-2 second choice.
Trained by Ashley Duford, the mare sired by Il Sogno Dream out of Cha Cha Slide now has half a dozen victories this year with earnings topping $40,000 from 18 starts. A career winner of 16 races, April Duford boasts a six-figure bankroll for her Dresden, Ont. based connections.
Another Ashley Duford-trained trotter For All You Know ($4.50) established a new career mark on Saturday night, winning the $4,200 sixth race in 1:58.3 with owner Dennis Duford in the driver's seat.
To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hiawatha Horse Park.
(Standardbred Canada)