Trainer Shawn Worthen wasted no time getting down to business on Friday night at Yorkton Exhibition in Saskatchewan
. The local horseman swept the first two of eight races on the card – a pair of $1,500 SHF Summer Sizzler Claiming Series divisions – with Manstorm and Four Starzz Smiley.
The first round of the claiming series began with Manstorm and driver Glenn LeDrew rallying from off the pace to score in a season’s-best clocking of 2:00.3. The seven-year-old gelded son of Jennas Beach Boy beat out his stablemate, O Js Boy (Kevin Sampson), to win by a quarter-length. Pacesetter Giro Jaco (Ryan Grundy) finished third.
Owned by the Un Stable of Yorkton, Sask., the win was Manstorm’s third of the season in 20 outings pushing his earnings to $4,535. His 11th career win lifted his bankroll to $34,792.
In the second division, Four Starzz Smiley and driver Laurie Bell battled with Kneehill Harry (Ryan Grundy) on the lead before pulling away by a length at the wire to win in a season’s-best 2:01.2. Kg Dna (Tyler Redwood) rounded out the top three.
The eight-year-old Grintfromeartoear gelding scored his fourth win in eight starts giving him $3,059 in winnings this year for owner Joe Soloninko of Wroxton, Sask. Four Starzz Smiley now boasts 24 triumphs on his lifetime record and $81,144 in purse earnings.
To view Friday's harness racing results, click here.