After a win in Saturday's (July 17) last of five OLG Ontario Women's Driving Championship races at Hanover Raceway propelled her into the lead at the midway stage, Natasha Day ran up the score Sunday (July 18) at Dresden Raceway, posting a driving double to defeat Marie-Claude Auger and six other rivals in the weekend tournament.
Day, who steered Keith Cullen trainee Dreaming Out Loud ($3.00) and Robert Coulter pupil April Bandit ($3.50) to decisive open-length wins on Sunday's Dresden program, led all drivers with three wins in the 10-race competition, and her 58 points were enough to outpace runner-up Auger, who recorded a win and a second-place finish at Dresden, by five points. Two-time winner Julie Walker finished third with 50 points.
Ontario Women's Driving Champion Natasha Day (centre), flanked by runner-up Marie-Claude Auger (right) and third-place finisher Julie Walker (left).
"It's an honour just to be part of such a great event but to win it is pretty awesome. It made it extra special knowing what Maggie is going through to help earn money for two great charities," said Day.
The proceeds of Saturday's event at Hanover went to Cervical Cancer while Dresden's returns went to Harness The Hope for Breast Cancer survivors.
Competitor Maggie Jones was recently diagnosed with cancer but delayed her first chemo treatment to drive in the event.
"Maggie wanted to make sure she took part especially knowing what the proceeds were going to and everything she is going through. We have so much respect for her and she understands that we are here to support her through it." added Day.
Kristy Dustin of Harness The Hope was pleased with the day, "We are so thankful that these ladies and these tracks put this event on, it was such an amazing day."
The final standings are as follows:
1. Natasha Day - 58
2. Marie-Claude Auger - 53
3. Julie Walker - 50
4. Marielle Enberg - 46
5. Pam Forgie - 46
6. Andrea Leon - 38
7. Britt Kennedy - 37
8. Maggie Jones - 36
Lady Katie B and Brydown Better Bea were the winner's of the Ontario Sire Stakes Prospect Series for three-year-old pacing fillies.
Lady Katie B, won the first division in 1:59.4 for Garrett Rooney. The Bettors Delight filly is owned and trained by Paul Cameron while Jayne Cameron and TJS Stables share ownership.
Brydown Better Bea, a Betterthancheddar filly, is owned by Brydown Farms and trained by Kendall Rahn. Scott Wray was in the sulky for the win in 2:01.4.
Bigmacwithchees won his third in a row at Dresden Raceway for owner-trainer MacKenzie MacInnes. The five-year-old Betterthancheddar gelding cruised to the win in 1:59 for driver Dale Spence.
Dresden Raceway hit a season high handle of $47,395 with just over $16,000 bet live at the track.
(with files from Dresden Raceway)
To view Sunday's results from Dresden, click the following link: Sunday Results – Dresden Raceway.
Thanks to the sponsorship
Thanks to the sponsorship from OLG, Ontario Women's Driving Championship, turned out to be a success, very competitive and very fun to handicap. With this success, there is hope for new growth in the industry. This was very obvious when so many youngsters lined up for autographs. With potential in new growth for Women's racing, this is a positive for racing as a whole.
I'llHaveAnother - Ontario Needs Racing, with the potential of Women's Driving Championship to be contested one day at Mohawk Raceway with ten girls lined up behind a gate.