The Guy Chretien barn was unstoppable on Saturday, July 12 at Kawartha Downs as the owner/trainer sent all three of his active racehorses to the track and left with three victories.
Clodam Bayama ($12.20) got the party started in the third race, racing uncovered through most of the back half for Reg Gassien and grinding to a three-quarter-length victory in 1:55.1. The 12-year-old Bettors Delight-Korinna Bayama mare ended a 33-race winless streak and made her record one-for-20 this year.
Mortgage My Villa ($4.70) proved much the best in the fourth race for Chretien. Driven by Gassien, he circled the field in the third quarter and left his opponents behind as he drew away to a 6-1/4-length romp in 1:55.3. The 10-year-old Blue Burner-My Villa gelding is now three-for-20 on the season.
Littlebearcat ($3.30) dominated the fifth in similar fashion with Gassien aboard, taking over in the third quarter and pacing off into the sunset, reaching the wire 6-1/4 lengths clear in 1:56.1. The eight-year-old daughter of Tigerama-Littleheartsdesire has won three of 18 attempts this year for Chretien but will make her next start for another barn after being claimed in the race.
Chretien, a resident of L’Ange-Gardien, Que. improved his yearly total to seven-for-58 and is now one win away from his best campaign since 2008. He has won 284 races in his career.
Gassien also won with All About Art ($5) in the opener and Bettor B Going ($3.10) in the finale for five wins on the card. He is now third in the drivers' standings, four wins behind Nick Boyd, who had a grand slam on the card. The veteran reinsman, who races almost exclusively at Kawartha, has 13 tallies on the year.
To view Saturday’s harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Kawartha Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)